Spanish for Beginners: Choosing Between Two Foods with 'Voy a querer' and 'Prefiero'
Learn to decide between two foods in Spanish using 'Voy a querer...' and 'Prefiero...'. Practice a conversation at a restaurant.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
When you're choosing between two foods in Spanish, you don't just point and say 'I want that.' You compare options using phrases like 'Voy a querer...' (I'll have...) or 'Prefiero...' (I prefer...). This lesson teaches you how to make a choice between two foods, using the correct verb forms and polite expressions. You'll learn to say what you'll have and what you prefer, and you'll practice a realistic conversation at a restaurant. By the end, you'll be able to confidently decide between two dishes in Spanish.
By the end, you can…
- say which of two foods I'll have using 'Voy a querer...'
- express a preference between two foods using 'Prefiero...'
- ask for a recommendation between two options
- understand and respond to a server's question about my choice
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Voy a querer la sopa.
I'll have the soup.
boy ah keh-REHR lah SOH-pah
Use 'Voy a querer' + article + noun to state your choice. This is common in Latin America for ordering.
Prefiero el pollo.
I prefer the chicken.
preh-FYEH-roh el POH-yoh
Use 'Prefiero' + article + noun to express a preference between two options.
¿Qué me recomienda?
What do you recommend?
keh meh reh-koh-MYEN-dah
Ask this to get a suggestion when you're undecided between two dishes.
¿Cuál prefiere?
Which one do you prefer?
kwal preh-FYEH-reh
A server might ask this when you're choosing between two options.
Voy a querer la ensalada, por favor.
I'll have the salad, please.
boy ah keh-REHR lah en-sah-LAH-dah por fah-BOR
Adding 'por favor' makes your request more polite.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To choose between two foods, use 'Voy a querer...' or 'Prefiero...' followed by the article and the food name. For example, 'Voy a querer la sopa' (I'll have the soup) or 'Prefiero el pollo' (I prefer the chicken). The article must match the gender of the noun: 'la' for feminine (sopa, ensalada) and 'el' for masculine (pollo, pescado). You can also use 'Quiero...' (I want), but 'Voy a querer' sounds more polite when ordering. 'Prefiero' is used when comparing two options.
When to use it
Use 'Voy a querer...' when you are ready to order and have made a decision. Use 'Prefiero...' when you are comparing two foods and stating which one you like better. For example, if the server asks '¿Qué prefiere, sopa o ensalada?' you can answer 'Prefiero la ensalada.' If you are just ordering without a direct comparison, 'Voy a querer la sopa' works well. Both phrases are polite and widely used in Latin America.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Buenas tardes, ¿qué le gustaría ordenar?
Good afternoon, what would you like to order?BWEH-nas TAR-dehs keh leh goos-tah-REE-ah or-deh-NARNo sé. ¿Qué me recomienda?
I don't know. What do you recommend?noh seh keh meh reh-koh-MYEN-dahLa sopa de verduras y el pollo asado son muy buenos.
The vegetable soup and the roast chicken are very good.lah SOH-pah deh behr-DOO-rahs ee el POH-yoh ah-SAH-doh sohn mwee BWEH-nohsPrefiero el pollo asado. Voy a querer eso, por favor.
I prefer the roast chicken. I'll have that, please.preh-FYEH-roh el POH-yoh ah-SAH-doh boy ah keh-REHR EH-soh por fah-BORA little context goes a long way
In many Latin American countries, it's common to use 'Voy a querer' instead of 'Quiero' when ordering, as it sounds more polite and less demanding. In Spain, 'Quiero' or 'Quisiera' might be more common. Also, the use of 'por favor' is expected in polite requests. When a server asks '¿Qué prefiere?', they are inviting you to compare options, so 'Prefiero...' is the natural response.
One thing to watch for
Saying 'Quiero la sopa' without an article or using the wrong article, like 'Quiero sopa' or 'Quiero el sopa'.
Try this instead: Always include the correct definite article that matches the noun's gender: 'Quiero la sopa' (feminine) or 'Quiero el pollo' (masculine). If you're not sure, you can say 'Voy a querer sopa' without an article, but it's less specific. Better to learn the gender with the noun.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you say 'I'll have the salad' in Spanish?
Show a sample answer
Voy a querer la ensalada.
'Voy a querer' is a polite way to say 'I'll have', and 'la ensalada' is the salad (feminine). You could also say 'Quiero la ensalada', but 'Voy a querer' is more polite.
2What phrase would you use to say 'I prefer the chicken'?
Show a sample answer
Prefiero el pollo.
'Prefiero' means 'I prefer', and 'el pollo' is the chicken (masculine). This is used when comparing two foods.
3If a server asks '¿Qué prefiere, sopa o ensalada?', how might you answer?
Show a sample answer
Prefiero la sopa.
You use 'Prefiero' to state your preference between the two options. 'La sopa' is the soup (feminine). You could also say 'Voy a querer la sopa' if you're ready to order.
Use 'Voy a querer...' to state your choice politely, and 'Prefiero...' to express a preference between two foods. Always match the article to the noun's gender.
Progress is saved on this browser.
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Put today’s Spanish into a conversation with an AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr