Italian: Expressing Preferences with 'Preferire' and 'Preferirei'
Learn to express preferences between options using 'preferire' and its conditional form 'preferirei', equivalent to English 'prefer' and 'would rather'.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
In Italian, to express a preference between options, you use the verb 'preferire' (to prefer). For a softer, more polite tone similar to English 'would rather', use the conditional form 'preferirei'. This lesson teaches you to construct sentences like 'Preferisco restare a casa che uscire' (I prefer staying home to going out) and 'Preferirei restare a casa piuttosto che uscire' (I'd rather stay home than go out). You'll learn the present tense and conditional forms, and how to compare options using 'che' or 'piuttosto che'.
By the end, you can…
- express a simple preference between two options using 'preferire' in the present tense.
- use the conditional 'preferirei' to make polite or hypothetical preferences.
- correctly use 'che' and 'piuttosto che' to compare options.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Preferisco il tè al caffè.
I prefer tea to coffee.
preh-feh-REE-sko eel teh ahl KAHF-feh
Use 'preferire A a B' to compare two nouns. 'Al' is the contraction of 'a il'.
Preferirei restare a casa piuttosto che uscire.
I'd rather stay home than go out.
preh-feh-ree-REH-ee reh-STAH-reh ah KAH-zah pyoot-TOH-stoh keh oo-SHEE-reh
Conditional 'preferirei' + infinitive, with 'piuttosto che' meaning 'rather than'.
Preferisci andare al cinema o guardare un film a casa?
Do you prefer going to the cinema or watching a film at home?
preh-feh-REE-shee ahn-DAH-reh ahl CHEE-neh-mah oh gwahr-DAH-reh oon feelm ah KAH-zah
Use 'o' to offer a choice between two options.
Preferisco camminare che prendere l'autobus.
I prefer walking to taking the bus.
preh-feh-REE-sko kahm-mee-NAH-reh keh PREHN-deh-reh LOW-toh-boos
'Che' can introduce the second option when comparing actions, though 'piuttosto che' is more common and emphatic.
Preferirei non uscire stasera.
I'd rather not go out tonight.
preh-feh-ree-REH-ee nohn oo-SHEE-reh stah-SEH-rah
To express a negative preference, place 'non' before the infinitive.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is 'preferire' + [option A] + 'a'/'che'/'piuttosto che' + [option B]. With nouns, use 'a': 'Preferisco la pizza alla pasta.' With verbs (infinitives), use 'che' or 'piuttosto che': 'Preferisco leggere che guardare la TV.' In the conditional, 'preferirei' softens the preference: 'Preferirei andare al mare piuttosto che in montagna.' Remember that 'preferire' is a regular -ire verb, but it takes 'isc' in some forms: io preferisco, tu preferisci, lui/lei preferisce, noi preferiamo, voi preferite, loro preferiscono. The conditional is: io preferirei, tu preferiresti, lui/lei preferirebbe, noi preferiremmo, voi preferireste, loro preferirebbero.
When to use it
Use the present tense 'preferisco' for general, factual preferences: 'Preferisco il caffè senza zucchero.' Use the conditional 'preferirei' for polite requests, hypothetical situations, or when you want to sound less direct: 'Preferirei aspettare un momento, se possibile.' In questions, 'preferisci... o...?' is common: 'Preferisci uscire o restare a casa?' When comparing actions, 'piuttosto che' is more emphatic than 'che': 'Preferirei morire piuttosto che mentire.' Note that in negative sentences, 'non' goes before the infinitive: 'Preferisco non uscire.'
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Cosa preferisci fare stasera? Andare al ristorante o cucinare a casa?
What do you prefer to do tonight? Go to a restaurant or cook at home?KOH-zah preh-feh-REE-shee FAH-reh stah-SEH-rah? ahn-DAH-reh ahl ree-stoh-RAHN-teh oh koo-chee-NAH-reh ah KAH-zah?Preferirei cucinare a casa piuttosto che andare al ristorante. Sono stanca.
I'd rather cook at home than go to a restaurant. I'm tired.preh-feh-ree-REH-ee koo-chee-NAH-reh ah KAH-zah pyoot-TOH-stoh keh ahn-DAH-reh ahl ree-stoh-RAHN-teh. SOH-noh STAHN-kah.Va bene. Allora preferisci pasta o pizza?
Okay. Then do you prefer pasta or pizza?vah BEH-neh. ahl-LOH-rah preh-feh-REE-shee PAH-stah oh PEET-tsah?Preferisco la pizza alla pasta, grazie.
I prefer pizza to pasta, thanks.preh-feh-REE-sko lah PEET-tsah ahl-lah PAH-stah, GRAH-tsee-eh.A little context goes a long way
In Italian, using the conditional 'preferirei' is common in polite conversation, especially when expressing a preference that might inconvenience others. It softens the request, similar to 'I would prefer' in English. In informal settings, the present tense 'preferisco' is perfectly acceptable. Note that in some regions, especially in the south, 'preferirei' might be replaced by 'preferisco' even in polite contexts, but the conditional is always safe and standard.
One thing to watch for
Using 'preferire' with 'di' instead of 'a' when comparing nouns, e.g., 'Preferisco il tè di caffè'.
Try this instead: The correct preposition for comparing nouns is 'a': 'Preferisco il tè al caffè.' For comparing verbs, use 'che' or 'piuttosto che': 'Preferisco leggere che guardare la TV.'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you say 'I prefer tea to coffee' in Italian?
Show a sample answer
Preferisco il tè al caffè.
This uses 'preferire' + noun + 'a' + noun. 'Al' is the contraction of 'a il'. You could also say 'Preferisco il tè piuttosto che il caffè', but 'a' is more common with nouns.
2Translate: 'I'd rather stay home than go out.'
Show a sample answer
Preferirei restare a casa piuttosto che uscire.
This uses the conditional 'preferirei' + infinitive + 'piuttosto che' + infinitive. Alternatively, 'Preferirei restare a casa che uscire' is also correct, though 'piuttosto che' is more emphatic.
3Form a question asking someone if they prefer walking or taking the bus.
Show a sample answer
Preferisci camminare o prendere l'autobus?
This uses the present tense 'preferisci' + infinitive + 'o' + infinitive. You could also use 'Preferisci camminare o prendere l'autobus?' with the same meaning.
Use 'preferire' in the present tense for general preferences and 'preferirei' in the conditional for polite or hypothetical ones. Compare nouns with 'a' and actions with 'che' or 'piuttosto che'.
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