What does preferir mean?
preferir means to prefer in English. It is a irregular -ir verb.
It can also be used with these related meanings: to rather (be or do).
Spanish verb guide
Preferir Conjugation in Spanish
Learn preferir, meaning to prefer, through verified forms and contextual examples.
irregular-irgerund: prefiriendoparticiple: preferido
Principal forms of preferir
- Infinitive
- preferir
- Gerund
- prefiriendo
- Past participle
- preferido
Preferir conjugation table
Compare the present, preterite, imperfect, and future forms. Reflexive pronouns are included where the verb requires them.
| Pronoun | Present | Preterite | Imperfect | Future |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| yo | prefiero | preferí | prefería | preferiré |
| tú | prefieres | preferiste | preferías | preferirás |
| él / ella / usted | prefiere | prefirió | prefería | preferirá |
| nosotros/as | preferimos | preferimos | preferíamos | preferiremos |
| ellos/as / ustedes | prefieren | prefirieron | preferían | preferirán |
Pattern notes
- Its forms differ from a fully regular -ir pattern in the present, preterite.
Examples with preferir
Prefiero el café al té.I prefer coffee to tea.Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FR
Prefiero el arroz al pan.I prefer rice to bread.Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FR
Prefiero el café con leche.I prefer coffee with milk.Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FR
Practice prompts
- Conjugate preferir for yo in the present.
- Use the preterite form for ella.
- Say the nosotros/as imperfect form.
- Write a short sentence in the future.
Practice preferir online
Use VerbyGo for a quick conjugation round with instant feedback and accent checking.