Italian for Beginners: Choosing Between Two Foods with 'Prendo' and 'Preferisco'
Learn to choose between two foods in Italian using 'Prendo il/la ___' and 'Preferisco ___', with polite alternatives and regional notes.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
When you are choosing between two foods in Italian, you often do not need to ask for something new. You need to compare two options and say which one you want. The two most useful patterns are 'Prendo il/la ___' (I'll have the ___) and 'Preferisco ___' (I prefer ___). This lesson teaches those patterns with common foods, shows how to use them politely, and explains when to choose one pattern over the other.
By the end, you can…
- say which of two foods I will have using 'Prendo il/la ___'.
- say which of two foods I prefer using 'Preferisco ___'.
- compare two foods in a simple conversation and respond politely.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Prendo la pizza.
I'll have the pizza.
PREHN-doh lah PEET-tsah
Use 'prendo' when you are ordering or choosing one option now. 'La pizza' is feminine, so use 'la'.
Prendo il gelato.
I'll have the ice cream.
PREHN-doh eel jeh-LAH-toh
'Il gelato' is masculine, so use 'il'. In many cafés, 'gelato' means scooped ice cream.
Preferisco la pasta.
I prefer the pasta.
preh-feh-REES-koh lah PAHS-tah
Use 'preferisco' to state a preference between two foods, not necessarily to order right now.
Preferisco il pesce.
I prefer the fish.
preh-feh-REES-koh eel PEH-sheh
'Il pesce' is masculine. This is useful when comparing fish with meat.
Per me, la pizza.
For me, the pizza.
pehr meh lah PEET-tsah
A natural, slightly informal way to choose when someone is asking each person in turn.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
Use 'Prendo' + article + food when you are choosing one item now: 'Prendo il panino' (I'll have the sandwich), 'Prendo la minestra' (I'll have the soup). Use 'Preferisco' + article + food when you are comparing two foods: 'Preferisco il tè al caffè' (I prefer tea to coffee). The article must match the noun: 'il' for most masculine nouns, 'la' for most feminine nouns, 'lo' before s+consonant or z, and 'l'' before a vowel.
When to use it
In a restaurant, 'Prendo...' is a clear, polite order. 'Preferisco...' is better when someone offers you two choices and you want to say which one you like more: 'Preferisco la carne, non il pesce' (I prefer meat, not fish). If you want to be more polite, add 'per favore': 'Prendo la pizza, per favore.' In some regions, especially Tuscany, people may say 'Prendo' less and use 'Vorrei' (I would like) in more formal situations.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Allora, per te pizza o pasta?
So, for you, pizza or pasta?ahl-LOH-rah pehr teh PEET-tsah oh PAHS-tahPreferisco la pasta. E tu?
I prefer pasta. And you?preh-feh-REES-koh lah PAHS-tah eh tooIo prendo la pizza.
I'll have the pizza.EE-oh PREHN-doh lah PEET-tsahVa bene. Prendo anche un'acqua.
All right. I'll also have a water.vah BEH-neh PREHN-doh ahn-keh oon AH-kwahA little context goes a long way
In Italy, ordering is usually direct but polite. 'Prendo...' is common in casual restaurants and cafés. In more formal settings, 'Vorrei...' (I would like) sounds softer. Regional differences exist: in the south, you may hear 'Prendo' often; in the north, 'Vorrei' may be more common in formal service. 'Preferisco' is not an order; it states a preference, so use it when comparing, not when the waiter is simply taking your order.
One thing to watch for
Saying 'Prendo pizza' without an article, or using the wrong article, such as 'Prendo la gelato'.
Try this instead: Use the correct article with the food noun: 'Prendo la pizza' (feminine), 'Prendo il gelato' (masculine). If you are comparing, say 'Preferisco la pizza al gelato' (I prefer pizza to ice cream).
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'I'll have the fish' in Italian?
Show a sample answer
Prendo il pesce.
'Prendo' means 'I'll have', and 'il pesce' is masculine singular, so 'il' is correct. You could also say 'Vorrei il pesce' in a more formal context.
2How do you say 'I prefer tea' in Italian?
Show a sample answer
Preferisco il tè.
'Preferisco' means 'I prefer', and 'il tè' is masculine singular. If you want to compare, add 'al caffè': 'Preferisco il tè al caffè'.
3Which phrase is better when a waiter asks 'Pizza o pasta?' and you want to choose one now?
Show a sample answer
Prendo la pizza.
'Prendo' is used for choosing one item now. 'Preferisco la pizza' is also possible, but it sounds more like a general preference than an order.
Use 'Prendo il/la ___' to choose one food now, and 'Preferisco ___' to compare two foods. Match the article to the noun, and add 'per favore' for extra politeness.
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