In 15 Seconds
- Used to express personal choices and preferences clearly.
- Follow with a noun or verb to state your pick.
- Works in both formal and casual everyday situations.
Meaning
This is your go-to way to express a preference or choice. It's like saying 'I'd rather' or 'I prefer' when you're making decisions about food, plans, or life.
Key Examples
3 of 6Ordering at a cafe
Eu prefiro café sem açúcar, por favor.
I prefer coffee without sugar, please.
Choosing a movie with a partner
Eu prefiro ver uma comédia hoje.
I prefer to watch a comedy today.
Professional meeting
Eu prefiro a primeira opção do projeto.
I prefer the first option of the project.
Cultural Background
Brazilians often use 'Eu prefiro' followed by 'do que' in almost all casual settings. Using the formal 'a' can make you sound like a grammar book. In Portugal, the use of 'Tu' is more common, so you will often hear 'Tu preferes?' instead of 'Você prefere?'. The tone is generally more direct than in Brazil. In Luanda, 'Eu prefiro' is used similarly to Portugal but often with local slang mixed in. It's common to hear it in the context of music (Kuduro vs Semba). Mozambican Portuguese is very melodic. 'Eu prefiro' is used with a distinct rhythm, and formal structures are often respected in educational and professional settings.
Drop the 'Eu'
In Portuguese, the verb ending already tells us it's 'I'. Just saying 'Prefiro...' sounds more native and less repetitive.
The 'Mais' Trap
Never say 'prefiro mais'. It's a very common mistake for English speakers. Just 'prefiro' is enough!
In 15 Seconds
- Used to express personal choices and preferences clearly.
- Follow with a noun or verb to state your pick.
- Works in both formal and casual everyday situations.
What It Means
Eu prefiro is the most direct way to say 'I prefer' in Portuguese. It comes from the verb preferir. It is simple, clear, and incredibly useful. You use it to signal your choice between two or more options. It helps you express your personality and tastes to others.
How To Use It
Using it is a breeze. Just follow Eu prefiro with a noun or a verb. If you like tea more than coffee, say Eu prefiro chá. If you want to compare two things, use the word do que. For example, Eu prefiro calor do que frio. It’s like a linguistic shortcut to getting exactly what you want.
When To Use It
Use it whenever a choice is on the table. At a restaurant, tell the waiter Eu prefiro a carne bem passada. When planning with friends, say Eu prefiro ir ao cinema. It works for big life decisions and tiny daily habits. It’s perfect for those 'this or that' icebreaker games too!
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it if you want to sound extremely indirect or passive. In some very formal Brazilian circles, people might use 'Gostaria mais de' to sound softer. Also, avoid using it if you don't actually have a choice. If someone offers you the only available seat, saying Eu prefiro another one might seem a bit picky.
Cultural Background
Portuguese speakers are generally very expressive about their likes and dislikes. In Brazil, sharing your preference is a way of bonding. It shows you are engaged in the conversation. In Portugal, it might be used slightly more sparingly in formal settings. However, in both places, it’s a foundational phrase for daily survival.
Common Variations
If you want to sound more casual, you can drop the Eu and just say Prefiro. To emphasize how much you prefer something, add muito. You’ll hear Eu prefiro mil vezes when someone really loves one option over another. It’s a fun, hyperbolic way to show your passion for your choice.
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral and safe for all situations. In spoken Portuguese, the 'Eu' is often dropped, making it just 'Prefiro'.
Drop the 'Eu'
In Portuguese, the verb ending already tells us it's 'I'. Just saying 'Prefiro...' sounds more native and less repetitive.
The 'Mais' Trap
Never say 'prefiro mais'. It's a very common mistake for English speakers. Just 'prefiro' is enough!
Softening the Blow
If you are declining an invitation, use 'Eu preferia' (conditional) to sound more polite and less blunt.
Use with Infinitives
You can put any verb in its basic form after 'prefiro' to talk about activities. 'Prefiro correr', 'Prefiro ler'.
Examples
6Eu prefiro café sem açúcar, por favor.
I prefer coffee without sugar, please.
A standard, polite way to state a preference.
Eu prefiro ver uma comédia hoje.
I prefer to watch a comedy today.
Followed by a verb (ver) to suggest an activity.
Eu prefiro a primeira opção do projeto.
I prefer the first option of the project.
Clear and professional decision-making.
Prefiro viajar de trem do que de ônibus.
I prefer traveling by train than by bus.
Using 'do que' to compare two modes of transport.
Eu prefiro mil vezes pizza com abacaxi!
I prefer pineapple pizza a thousand times over!
Using 'mil vezes' for dramatic emphasis.
Eu prefiro a paz do que ter razão.
I prefer peace over being right.
A common philosophical expression in Portuguese.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'preferir' for the pronoun 'Eu'.
Eu _______ (preferir) suco de laranja.
The 'Eu' form of 'preferir' has a stem change from 'e' to 'i'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct in a formal context?
Choose the formal option:
In formal Portuguese, the verb 'preferir' takes the preposition 'a'.
Complete the dialogue with a natural response.
Amigo: 'Você quer ir ao shopping?' Você: 'Não, eu _______ ficar em casa hoje.'
'Prefiro' is the most natural way to suggest an alternative choice.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Phrase: 'Eu prefiro que você me ligue amanhã.'
This uses the subjunctive to express a preference regarding someone else's actions.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Formal vs Informal
Practice Bank
4 exercisesEu _______ (preferir) suco de laranja.
The 'Eu' form of 'preferir' has a stem change from 'e' to 'i'.
Choose the formal option:
In formal Portuguese, the verb 'preferir' takes the preposition 'a'.
Amigo: 'Você quer ir ao shopping?' Você: 'Não, eu _______ ficar em casa hoje.'
'Prefiro' is the most natural way to suggest an alternative choice.
Phrase: 'Eu prefiro que você me ligue amanhã.'
This uses the subjunctive to express a preference regarding someone else's actions.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsGrammatically, yes, in formal writing. Socially, no. In Brazil, everyone says it. If you're writing an exam, use 'a'. If you're at a bar, 'do que' is fine.
Yes, but be careful. 'Eu prefiro o João' means you prefer him for a task or as a choice. In a romantic sense, it sounds a bit cold.
'Quero' is 'I want'. 'Prefiro' is 'I want this instead of that'. Use 'prefiro' when there's a comparison.
You can say 'Eu prefiro não...' followed by the action. For example: 'Eu prefiro não falar sobre isso'.
Only in the present tense 'Eu' form (prefiro) and the present subjunctive (prefira). The rest is quite regular.
Yes! This is a very common way to show you have a very strong preference.
No, verbs in Portuguese do not change based on the gender of the speaker. Both men and women say 'Eu prefiro'.
Just change the verb ending: 'Você prefere...?' or 'Tu preferes...?'
If the second item is feminine and requires an article, you use the crase (à). 'Prefiro a carne à massa'.
Yes, 'Antes' is like 'I'd rather'. 'Antes eu do que ele' (Rather me than him).
Absolutely. It's the standard way to express preference across the entire Lusophone world.
There isn't a single word, but you could say 'Eu evito' (I avoid) or 'Eu não gosto de'.
Related Phrases
Gosto mais de
synonymI like ... more
Antes
similarRather
Opto por
specialized formI opt for
Tenho preferência por
builds onI have a preference for
Prefiro mil vezes
specialized formI prefer a thousand times
