Learning how to express your preferences is essential for communication in any language, and Spanish offers a variety of ways to do this. Let’s explore three key methods: using “preferir,” comparing with “más que,” and employing superlatives.
Using “Preferir” (To Prefer)
The verb “preferir” is your go-to tool for directly stating your preference between two options.
Structure: Preferir + [option A] + a + [option B]
Example:
- “Prefiero el té al café.” (I prefer tea to coffee.)
- “Prefiero viajar en tren a viajar en avión.” (I prefer traveling by train to traveling by plane.)
Remember: “Preferir” is an irregular verb, so be sure to conjugate it correctly:
- Yo prefiero (I prefer)
- Tú prefieres (You prefer)
- Él/Ella/Usted prefiere (He/She/You (formal) prefer)
- Nosotros preferimos (We prefer)
- Vosotros preferís (You all prefer)
- Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes prefieren (They/You all (formal) prefer)
Comparing with “Más Que” (More Than)
For expressing a more general preference, use “más que” (more than) with verbs like “gustar” (to like) or others that convey likes and dislikes.
Structure: [Verb] + más + [option A] + que + [option B]
Example:
- “Me gusta más el verano que el invierno.” (I like summer more than winter.)
- “Disfruto más la comida italiana que la francesa.” (I enjoy Italian food more than French food.)
Using Superlatives
To express your strongest preferences, superlative structures like “lo que más” (what … the most) come in handy.
Structure: Lo que más + [verb] + es…
Example:
- “Lo que más me gusta es viajar.” (What I like most is traveling.)
- “Lo que más disfruto es pasar tiempo con mi familia.” (What I enjoy most is spending time with my family.)
You can also use “el/la que más” when referring to specific nouns:
- “El deporte que más practico es el fútbol.” (The sport I practice the most is soccer.)
¡Ánimo! By mastering these three methods, you’ll be able to express your preferences confidently in Spanish, whether it’s a simple comparison or declaring your absolute favorites. ¡Buena suerte!