Expressing Preferences in Spanish: Preferir and Preferiría
Learn to state choices between options in Latin American Spanish using prefiero and preferiría, with clear examples and a short dialogue.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
In Spanish, when you want to say you prefer one option over another, you use the verb preferir. To say what you would rather do, use the conditional form preferiría. This lesson teaches you to build simple preference sentences with these two forms, compare two activities, and respond naturally in conversation. You will also learn how to ask someone else what they prefer. The focus is on choices, not on general likes and dislikes.
By the end, you can…
- say which of two activities I prefer using prefiero.
- say what I would rather do using preferiría.
- ask another person what they prefer or would rather do.
- respond to a preference question with a complete sentence.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Prefiero quedarme en casa.
I prefer to stay home.
preh-FYEH-roh keh-DAR-meh en KAH-sah
Use prefiero for a general preference in the present. Quedarme means 'to stay,' with me attached to the infinitive.
Prefiero quedarme en casa que salir.
I prefer to stay home rather than go out.
preh-FYEH-roh keh-DAR-meh en KAH-sah keh sah-LEER
In Latin American Spanish, que introduces the rejected option after a preference. Salir means 'to go out.'
Preferiría quedarme en casa.
I would rather stay home.
preh-feh-ree-RREE-ah keh-DAR-meh en KAH-sah
Preferiría is the conditional form. It softens the statement and often implies a specific situation now.
¿Qué prefieres, café o té?
What do you prefer, coffee or tea?
keh preh-FYEH-rehs kah-FEH oh teh
Use this to ask someone to choose between two concrete options. The verb changes to prefieres for tú.
Preferiría no ir.
I would rather not go.
preh-feh-ree-RREE-ah noh eer
Place no directly before the infinitive to reject an option politely.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is prefiero + infinitive + que + infinitive. For example, prefiero caminar que tomar el autobús means 'I prefer to walk rather than take the bus.' The first infinitive is your choice; que introduces the option you reject. To say what you would rather do in a specific moment, replace prefiero with preferiría: preferiría caminar que tomar el autobús. The structure stays the same, but the meaning becomes more immediate and polite.
When to use it
Use prefiero for stable, general preferences, such as prefiero el té (I prefer tea). Use preferiría when you are choosing in a particular situation, especially to be polite: preferiría esperar aquí (I would rather wait here). To ask about someone else, use prefieres for tú: ¿prefieres salir o quedarte? In Latin America, ustedes is the plural form: ¿prefieren salir o quedarse? Avoid using me gusta más as a direct substitute in this lesson, because it expresses liking more, not choosing between options.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
¿Prefieres ir al cine o quedarte en casa?
Do you prefer to go to the movies or stay home?keh preh-FYEH-rehs eer al SEE-neh oh keh-DAR-teh en KAH-sahPreferiría quedarme en casa. Estoy cansado.
I would rather stay home. I'm tired.preh-feh-ree-RREE-ah keh-DAR-meh en KAH-sah ehs-TOY kahn-SAH-dohEntiendo. ¿Prefieres ver una película o leer?
I understand. Do you prefer to watch a movie or read?ehn-TYEHN-doh keh preh-FYEH-rehs behr oo-nah peh-LEE-koo-lah oh leh-EHRPrefiero leer. ¿Y tú?
I prefer to read. And you?preh-FYEH-roh leh-EHR ee tooA little context goes a long way
In many Latin American conversations, preferiría can sound more polite than prefiero when you are declining an invitation or disagreeing with a plan. Adding por ahora (for now) softens it further: preferiría quedarme por ahora. In casual speech, speakers often use quisiera or me gustaría in similar situations, but preferiría keeps the focus on choosing between options.
One thing to watch for
Using prefiero with a conjugated verb after que, as in prefiero quedarme que salgo.
Try this instead: After que in a preference comparison, use an infinitive, not a conjugated verb: prefiero quedarme que salir. The second verb stays in the infinitive because it names the rejected activity, not a separate action with its own subject.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'I would rather stay home' in Spanish?
Show a sample answer
Preferiría quedarme en casa.
Preferiría is the conditional form used for a specific, polite preference. Prefiero quedarme en casa is also correct if you mean a general preference, so both can work depending on context.
2Complete the sentence: Prefiero caminar ___ tomar el autobús.
Show a sample answer
que
Que introduces the rejected option after a preference. In some regions, a might be heard, but que is the standard and widely understood choice in Latin American Spanish.
3Ask a friend whether they prefer coffee or tea.
Show a sample answer
¿Prefieres café o té?
Prefieres is the tú form of preferir. If you are speaking formally, use ¿Prefiere café o té? with usted.
Use prefiero for general preferences and preferiría for polite, situation-specific choices. Keep both verbs in the infinitive and connect the rejected option with que.
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