French: Expressing Preferences with 'préférer' and 'aimer mieux'
Learn to express preferences between options in French using 'préférer' and 'aimer mieux', focusing on choices rather than simple likes or dislikes.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
In French, expressing a preference between options is a key communication skill. While 'aimer' and 'détester' express likes and dislikes, 'préférer' (to prefer) and 'aimer mieux' (would rather) are used to compare choices. This lesson teaches you how to say what you would rather do or prefer, using common structures like 'Je préfère... à...' and 'J'aime mieux... que...'. You'll practice with real-life examples and dialogues.
By the end, you can…
- express a preference between two options using 'préférer' and 'aimer mieux'.
- form sentences like 'I'd rather stay home than go out' in French.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Je préfère rester à la maison.
I prefer to stay home.
zhuh pray-FEHR res-TAY ah lah may-ZOHN
Use 'préférer' to state a general preference. It can be followed by a noun or an infinitive.
J'aime mieux rester à la maison.
I'd rather stay home.
zhem MYUH res-TAY ah lah may-ZOHN
'Aimer mieux' is often used for a specific choice in the moment, similar to 'would rather'.
Je préfère le thé au café.
I prefer tea to coffee.
zhuh pray-FEHR luh TAY oh ka-FAY
When comparing two nouns, use 'préférer [noun] à [noun]'. 'À' contracts with 'le' to 'au'.
J'aime mieux sortir que rester.
I'd rather go out than stay.
zhem MYUH sor-TEER kuh res-TAY
When comparing two actions, use 'aimer mieux [infinitive] que [infinitive]'.
Tu préfères lequel ?
Which one do you prefer?
tew pray-FEHR luh-KEL
Use 'lequel' (which one) to ask someone to choose between options.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To express a preference between two nouns, use 'préférer' + noun + 'à' + noun. Example: 'Je préfère le cinéma au théâtre.' (I prefer cinema to theatre.) To express a preference between two actions, use 'préférer' + infinitive + 'plutôt que de' + infinitive, or 'aimer mieux' + infinitive + 'que' + infinitive. Example: 'Je préfère marcher plutôt que de prendre le bus.' (I prefer walking rather than taking the bus.) 'Aimer mieux' is often used for immediate choices: 'J'aime mieux partir maintenant.' (I'd rather leave now.)
When to use it
Use 'préférer' for general, lasting preferences, like 'Je préfère le poisson à la viande.' (I prefer fish to meat.) Use 'aimer mieux' for specific, immediate choices, similar to 'would rather' in English: 'J'aime mieux prendre le train.' (I'd rather take the train.) In questions, 'Tu préfères... ou...?' is common. Note that 'aimer mieux' is slightly more informal and common in spoken French, while 'préférer' is neutral and works in both formal and informal contexts.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Tu préfères aller au restaurant ou manger à la maison ?
Do you prefer going to a restaurant or eating at home?tew pray-FEHR ah-LAY oh res-toh-RAHN oo mahn-ZHAY ah lah may-ZOHNJ'aime mieux manger à la maison ce soir.
I'd rather eat at home tonight.zhem MYUH mahn-ZHAY ah lah may-ZOHN suh SWARMoi, je préfère le restaurant. Et toi, tu préfères la pizza ou les pâtes ?
Me, I prefer the restaurant. And you, do you prefer pizza or pasta?mwah, zhuh pray-FEHR luh res-toh-RAHN. ay twah, tew pray-FEHR lah peet-ZAH oo lay PAHTJe préfère les pâtes à la pizza.
I prefer pasta to pizza.zhuh pray-FEHR lay PAHT ah lah peet-ZAHA little context goes a long way
In French, 'aimer mieux' is very common in everyday conversation to express a quick choice, while 'préférer' is more formal and used for general preferences. In Quebec, 'aimer mieux' is also used, but you might hear 'j'aime plus' informally. Always use 'à' for comparing nouns and 'que' for comparing actions.
One thing to watch for
Using 'que' instead of 'à' when comparing nouns: 'Je préfère le thé que le café.'
Try this instead: Use 'à' for nouns: 'Je préfère le thé au café.' Remember that 'à + le' becomes 'au'. For actions, use 'que': 'J'aime mieux sortir que rester.'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you say 'I prefer tea to coffee' in French?
Show a sample answer
Je préfère le thé au café.
This uses 'préférer' + noun + 'à' + noun. 'Au' is the contraction of 'à le'. You could also say 'J'aime mieux le thé que le café', but 'préférer' is more standard for general preferences.
2Translate: 'I'd rather stay home than go out.'
Show a sample answer
J'aime mieux rester à la maison que sortir.
This uses 'aimer mieux' + infinitive + 'que' + infinitive. 'Préférer' could also work: 'Je préfère rester à la maison plutôt que de sortir.' Both are correct, but 'aimer mieux' is more common for immediate choices.
3Ask someone: 'Do you prefer pizza or pasta?'
Show a sample answer
Tu préfères la pizza ou les pâtes ?
This uses 'préférer' in a question with 'ou' (or). You could also ask 'Tu aimes mieux la pizza ou les pâtes ?' but 'préférer' is more standard.
Use 'préférer' for general preferences and 'aimer mieux' for immediate choices. Remember: 'à' for nouns, 'que' for actions.
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