preferido
/pre-fe-RÍ-do/
favorite
When used as an adjective, preferido means "favorite" or "most liked."
📝 In Action
El azul es mi color preferido.
A1Blue is my favorite color.
Mi comida preferida es la paella.
A2My preferred food is paella. (Note: 'comida' is feminine, so we use 'preferida'.)
Ellos son mis estudiantes preferidos.
B1They are my favorite students.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Agreement
As an adjective, 'preferido' must change its ending to match the thing it describes. If the thing is feminine (like 'canción'), use 'preferida'. If it's plural (like 'libros'), use 'preferidos'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Ignoring Gender
Mistake: "Mi camisa es preferido."
Correction: Mi camisa es preferida. ('Camisa' is feminine, so the adjective must also be feminine.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Placement
This adjective almost always goes after the noun it describes: 'el color preferido', not 'el preferido color'.
As a noun, preferido refers to the person or thing that is the "favorite."
preferido(noun)
favorite
?person or thing that is someone's favorite
,pet
?person who receives unfair favoritism (can be slightly critical)
chosen one
?the selection
📝 In Action
El director siempre le da los mejores proyectos a su preferido.
B1The director always gives the best projects to his favorite (his pet).
Ella es la preferida de la familia.
B2She is the family's favorite.
💡 Grammar Points
Noun Use
When used as a noun, 'el preferido' means 'the favorite person.' It requires an article (like 'el' or 'un') and follows the same gender rules: 'la preferida' for a woman.
Preferido is the past participle of preferir (to prefer) and is used to form perfect tenses, meaning "preferred."
📝 In Action
Nunca he preferido el café al té.
A2I have never preferred coffee over tea.
Habíamos preferido quedarnos en casa.
B1We had preferred to stay home.
💡 Grammar Points
Forming Perfect Tenses
The past participle 'preferido' combines with a form of the verb 'haber' (like 'he', 'has', 'ha') to create perfect tenses, which describe actions completed in the past: 'He preferido' (I have preferred).
Invariable Rule
When used with 'haber' to form perfect tenses, 'preferido' never changes its ending! It always stays 'preferido,' even if the subject is feminine or plural (e.g., 'Ellas han preferido...').
❌ Common Pitfalls
Changing the Participle
Mistake: "Nosotras hemos preferidas comer pasta."
Correction: Nosotras hemos preferido comer pasta. (The participle doesn't change when used with 'haber'.)
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: preferido
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'preferido' as the adjective 'favorite'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'preferido' and 'favorito'?
'Preferido' and 'favorito' are synonyms and usually interchangeable, especially when talking about things. 'Preferido' sometimes carries a slightly more formal feel, but both mean 'favorite' or 'most liked'.
Why does 'preferido' sometimes end in -a, -os, or -as?
When 'preferido' is acting as a descriptive word (an adjective), it must agree with the thing it describes. If you talk about 'las flores' (feminine plural), you must say 'las flores preferidas'.