Prefer meanings in Japanese

好む (このむ)

Example:

I prefer tea over coffee.

私はコーヒーよりもお茶を好みます。

She prefers to read books at night.

彼女は夜に本を読むのを好みます。

Usage: informalContext: Used when expressing a personal choice or liking.

Note: This is the most common way to express 'prefer' in Japanese, often used in everyday conversation.

選ぶ (えらぶ)

Example:

I prefer the blue shirt.

私は青いシャツを選びます。

Do you prefer this option?

この選択肢を選びますか？

Usage: formal/informalContext: Used when making a selection or choice among options.

Note: This meaning emphasizes the act of choosing rather than just liking something.

優先する (ゆうせんする)

Example:

We should prefer quality over quantity.

私たちは量より質を優先すべきです。

He prefers safety over speed.

彼は速度よりも安全を優先します。

Usage: formalContext: Used in contexts where prioritization is discussed, such as in business or academic settings.

Note: This meaning is commonly used in formal discussions, emphasizing the importance of one thing over another.

好ましい (このましい)

Example:

A quiet environment is preferred for studying.

勉強には静かな環境が好ましいです。

This behavior is preferred in our company.

この行動は私たちの会社で好ましいです。

Usage: formalContext: Used to describe something that is desirable or favorable in specific conditions.

Note: This word is often used in formal writing or discussions to describe preferred conditions or behaviors.

Prefer

To like, choose, or want one thing more than another.

Example: I prefer tea over coffee in the morning.

Note:

Favor

To show a preference for or give an advantage to something or someone.

Example: She favors a more traditional approach to solving the problem.

Note: Favor may imply a sense of support or approval in addition to preference.

Opt for

To choose or select something from among a number of alternatives.

Example: I opted for the blue shirt instead of the red one.

Note: Opt for emphasizes the act of making a choice from available options.

Choose

To select from a number of possibilities based on preference or desire.

Example: I choose to spend my weekends with family.

Note: Choose is a general term for making a selection without necessarily implying a strong preference.

Preferential

Involving giving an advantage or priority to something or someone based on preference.

Example: He has a preferential treatment for loyal customers.

Note: Preferential is more about giving special treatment or advantage based on preference.

Prefer not to

This phrase is used to politely decline or express a negative preference.

Example: I would prefer not to go to the party tonight.

Note: It adds a polite or softer tone to expressing a preference.

Prefer doing something

This phrase is used to indicate a specific preference for one action over another.

Example: I prefer hiking to swimming.

Note: It specifies the action or activity that is preferred.

Prefer A over B

This phrase is used to show a preference for one thing over another.

Example: I prefer chocolate ice cream over vanilla.

Note: It compares two options and indicates the favored choice.

Would you prefer

This phrase is used to ask someone about their preference between two or more options.

Example: Would you prefer tea or coffee for breakfast?

Note: It is a polite way to inquire about someone's choice.

Prefer to do something

This phrase is used to express a general preference for a certain way of doing things.

Example: I prefer to study in the morning.

Note: It indicates the preferred time or method of doing something.

Prefer something to something else

This phrase is used to show a clear preference for one thing over another.

Example: I prefer summer to winter.

Note: It emphasizes the choice of one option over another.

Prefer the company of

This phrase is used to indicate a preference for being with a particular group or type of people.

Example: He prefers the company of older people.

Note: It specifies the preferred companionship.

Prefer doing rather than doing

This phrase is used to express a preference for one activity over another.

Example: I prefer reading books rather than watching TV.

Note: It compares two actions and indicates the favored choice.

Prefer something for something

This phrase is used to indicate a preferred choice for a specific purpose or occasion.

Example: I prefer tea for breakfast.

Note: It specifies the use or context in which something is preferred.

Preferential treatment

Preferential treatment refers to giving special advantages or benefits to someone based on personal connections or favoritism.

Example: He always gets preferential treatment from the boss because they are friends.

Note: This term implies a biased or unfair preference compared to the neutral or unbiased concept of 'prefer.'

Preference

Preference is a personal liking or inclination towards one thing over another.

Example: I have a strong preference for spicy food over bland dishes.

Note: While 'prefer' is a verb indicating choice between options, 'preference' is a noun describing the liking or inclination itself.

Partial to

Being partial to something means having a slight preference or liking for it.

Example: I'm partial to chocolate ice cream, but I'll have vanilla today.

Note: This term shows a lesser degree of liking or preference compared to simply saying 'prefer.'

Leaning towards

'Leaning towards' means showing a slight preference or inclination towards something.

Example: I'm leaning towards Mexican food for dinner tonight, but I'm still deciding.

Note: This term indicates a tentative or temporary preference compared to stating a clear choice with 'prefer.'

Go for

To 'go for' something means to choose or select it.

Example: I think I'm going to go for the chicken dish instead of the beef, it sounds delicious.

Note: 'Go for' implies a spontaneous or immediate decision, whereas 'prefer' suggests a more thoughtful choice.

I prefer tea over coffee.

She prefers to work alone.

They prefer to stay at home on weekends.

Prefer - Verb (Verb) / Verb, base form (Verb, base form)

Lemma: prefer

Conjugations

Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): preferred

Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): preferring

Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): prefers

Verb, base form (Verb, base form): prefer

Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): prefer

Syllabification and Stress

prefer Contains 2 syllables: pre • fer

Phonetic transcription: pri-ˈfər

pre fer , pri ˈfər (The red syllable is stressed)

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.

prefer: ~ 1400 (Very common).

This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.

Prefer