preferir
Vowel Alternation (e -> i / e -> é) Level A2 ⭐ #46 Most CommonEnglish translation: to prefer
Present (Presente)
Preferring now.
| Subject Pronoun | Conjugation | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| eu | prefiro | |
| tu | preferes | |
| ele/ela/você | prefere | |
| nós | preferimos | |
| vós | preferis | |
| eles/elas/vocês | preferem |
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Frequently Asked Questions: PREFERIR
Is "preferir" a regular or irregular verb in Portuguese? ▾
"preferir" is classified as a Vowel Alternation (e -> i / e -> é) verb in Portuguese. Its characteristic conjugation pattern is "eu prefiro, tu preferes, ele prefere / subjunctive: prefira". Stem vowel 'e' raises to 'i' in 1st person singular present: eu prefiro. Returns to 'e' elsewhere. Subjunctive inherits 'i': prefira, prefiras... In Portuguese, 'preferir' is constructed with 'a' (preferir X a Y), NEVER with 'do que': 'Prefiro chá a café'.
What does "preferir" mean in English? ▾
In English, "preferir" translates primarily to "to prefer". In natural speech, it is commonly used across CEFR level A2 contexts for everyday communication.
What is the most frequent mistake learners make with "preferir"? ▾
A frequent error is saying "Prefiro café do que chá" instead of "Prefiro café a chá". Why? Standard Portuguese syntax requires 'preferir [X] a [Y]', never 'do que'.
What are common idioms or expressions with "preferir"? ▾
A popular idiom is "Preferir o certo ao duvidoso" which means "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush / prefer certainty over risk" (e.g. "Recusou a aposta e preferiu o certo ao duvidoso.").
How can I practice and memorize "preferir" conjugations? ▾
Use Verbpedia's built-in interactive flashcards, pronounce each form using native Web Speech audio, and complete the instant mini-quiz below. You can also print a distraction-free A4 cheat sheet using the Print button above.
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Quick Practice: Fill in the Blanks
Test your understanding of 'preferir' across tenses
How do you conjugate 'eu' in the present indicative of preferir?
Other Important Portuguese Verbs to Study
to be (permanent / identity)
to be (state, mood, location)
to have / possess
to go
to do / to make
to say / tell
to see / watch
can / to be able to
to know (facts, skills)
to want / to love
to come
to speak / to talk
to hear / to listen
to bring
to ask for / to order / to request
to feel / to regret / to hear
to stay / to remain / to become / to be located
to sleep
to open / to unlock
to arrive / to reach
to pass / to spend (time) / to happen
to take / to carry / to take away
to go up / to climb / to rise
to go down / to descend
to write
to achieve / to manage to / to get
to lose / to miss
to smile
to leave / to break
to put / to place
to know / to meet (people, places)
to fall / to drop
to remember / to remind
to understand / to realize (PT) / to perceive (BR)
to drive / to guide