A simple cartoon child stands between two pedestals, one holding a bright red apple and the other holding a slice of chocolate cake. The child is reaching decisively toward the apple, indicating a choice.

preferiría

preh-feh-ree-REE-ah

Verb (Conjugated Form)B1irregular (stem-changing E>IE in some tenses) ir

I would prefer?1st person singular,He/She/You (formal) would prefer?3rd person singular

Also:I'd rather?informal preference,I should prefer?rare, formal translation

Quick Reference

infinitivepreferir

gerundprefiriendo

past Participlepreferido

📝 In Action

Yo preferiría ir al cine en lugar de quedarme en casa.

I would prefer to go to the cinema instead of staying home.

¿Usted preferiría pagar en efectivo o con tarjeta?

Would you (formal) prefer to pay in cash or by card?

Ella dijo que preferiría vivir en un clima más cálido.

She said that she would prefer to live in a warmer climate.

Word Connections

Synonyms

querer (to want (less polite))
desear (to desire)

Antonyms

detestar (to detest)

Common Collocations

Preferiría + infinitivo – I would prefer to + verb
Preferiría + que + subjuntivo – I would prefer that + someone else do something

💡 Grammar Points

Polite Requests

Using 'preferiría' makes your choice sound much softer and more polite than using 'prefiero' (I prefer). This is the standard form for ordering or making suggestions.

Hypothetical Situations

This form is perfect for talking about what you would do or choose, especially if it depends on a condition that might not be met ('If I had the money, I would prefer...').

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing Conditional and Imperfect

Mistake: "Using 'prefería' (I used to prefer) when you mean 'I would prefer' ('preferiría')."

Correction: Remember the 'r' sound in the middle of 'preferiría' signals the 'would' meaning, linking it to the future form.

⭐ Usage Tips

Following up a Choice

When stating a preference, you can complete the comparison using 'en lugar de...' (instead of...) or 'antes que...' (rather than...).

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: preferiría

Question 1 of 1

Which English phrase best translates 'Yo preferiría un vaso de agua'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

preferir(to prefer) - verb

preferencia(preference) - noun

preferible(preferable) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'prefiero' and 'preferiría'?

'Prefiero' means 'I prefer' (a general preference or fact). 'Preferiría' means 'I would prefer' (a polite, hypothetical choice in a specific situation). Always use 'preferiría' when ordering food or making a formal request to sound more courteous.

Does 'preferiría' have the stem change (E to IE)?

No. The conditional form ('preferiría') is built directly from the infinitive *preferir* plus the conditional endings, so the E>IE stem change that happens in the present tense (e.g., *prefiero*) does not apply here.