15秒了解
- A polite way to state your choice or favorite option.
- More sophisticated than 'I like' but less intense than 'I love'.
- Perfect for restaurants, meetings, and making plans with friends.
意思
This is a polite and clear way to say you prefer one thing over another. It's like saying 'I have a preference for' or 'I'm more of a... person' when making choices.
关键例句
3 / 6Ordering at a restaurant
Tenho preferência por uma mesa ao ar livre, por favor.
I have a preference for an outdoor table, please.
Discussing work schedules
Tenho preferência por reuniões no período da manhã.
I have a preference for meetings in the morning.
Texting a friend about a movie
Para hoje, tenho preferência por um filme de comédia.
For today, I have a preference for a comedy movie.
文化背景
In Lusophone cultures, being 'direto ao ponto' (direct to the point) can sometimes be perceived as rude. This phrase allows speakers to express their will while maintaining a level of social grace and flexibility. It is especially common in service industries and professional environments in Lisbon and Rio.
The 'Por' Rule
Always remember that 'preferência' loves the word 'por'. If you use 'de', people will understand you, but 'por' makes you sound like a pro.
Don't overcomplicate
If you are with very close friends, just use 'Prefiro'. 'Tenho preferência por' can sound a bit like you're reading from a menu if used too often in casual talk.
15秒了解
- A polite way to state your choice or favorite option.
- More sophisticated than 'I like' but less intense than 'I love'.
- Perfect for restaurants, meetings, and making plans with friends.
What It Means
Tenho preferência por is your go-to phrase for expressing a choice. It sounds slightly more polished than just saying Eu gosto mais de (I like ... more). It tells people exactly what you want without being pushy. You are basically saying, "If I have to choose, this is my winner."
How To Use It
You use it followed by a noun. For example, Tenho preferência por café. If you are talking about an action, you usually add a verb in the infinitive: Tenho preferência por viajar de trem. It is a very stable phrase. You don't need to change it much. Just swap the ending for whatever you're craving!
When To Use It
Use this when someone asks for your opinion on a plan. It’s perfect at a restaurant when the waiter asks about seating. Use it in a job interview to talk about your work style. It’s also great when texting friends about where to meet up. It shows you have a personality but you're still easygoing. It makes you sound like a sophisticated local who knows what they want.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this for extreme passions or deep love. If you are talking about your soulmate, Tenho preferência por sounds way too clinical. It’s for choices, not for your heart's deepest desires. Also, avoid it in very high-stress emergencies. If the building is on fire, don't say you have a preference for the stairs. Just run! In very slang-heavy circles, it might feel a bit too 'proper.'
Cultural Background
Portuguese speakers value politeness and 'saving face.' Saying Eu quero (I want) can sometimes feel a bit too direct or aggressive. Using Tenho preferência por softens the blow. It frames your desire as a simple preference rather than a demand. It’s part of that famous Portuguese-speaking charm where everything is a bit more indirect and smooth.
Common Variations
You will often hear Prefiro which is the shorter, more common version. If you want to sound even more formal, you might say Minha preferência seria. In Brazil, you might hear Eu sou mais... in very casual settings. For example, Eu sou mais doce que salgado (I'm more into sweets than savory). But Tenho preferência por remains the gold standard for being clear and polite.
使用说明
This phrase sits comfortably in the 'neutral' to 'formal' range. It is safe for almost any social situation where you need to make a choice known without sounding like a toddler demanding candy.
The 'Por' Rule
Always remember that 'preferência' loves the word 'por'. If you use 'de', people will understand you, but 'por' makes you sound like a pro.
Don't overcomplicate
If you are with very close friends, just use 'Prefiro'. 'Tenho preferência por' can sound a bit like you're reading from a menu if used too often in casual talk.
The Soft 'No'
Brazilians often use this phrase to say 'no' to something else without being rude. By saying you prefer X, you are politely declining Y.
例句
6Tenho preferência por uma mesa ao ar livre, por favor.
I have a preference for an outdoor table, please.
A polite way to ask the host for a specific spot.
Tenho preferência por reuniões no período da manhã.
I have a preference for meetings in the morning.
Professional and clear for a workplace setting.
Para hoje, tenho preferência por um filme de comédia.
For today, I have a preference for a comedy movie.
Helps narrow down choices without being bossy.
Sendo sincero, tenho preferência por pizza com abacaxi!
To be honest, I have a preference for pizza with pineapple!
Using a formal phrase for a controversial food choice adds humor.
Tenho preferência por lugares calmos e com muita natureza.
I have a preference for quiet places with lots of nature.
Expressing a personal trait or desire.
Eu sempre tenho preferência pelo assento no corredor.
I always have a preference for the aisle seat.
States a recurring habit or choice.
自我测试
Choose the correct preposition to complete the preference.
Eu tenho preferência ___ chá verde em vez de café.
The phrase 'ter preferência' always takes the preposition 'por' in Portuguese.
Which word completes the phrase to mean 'I have a preference'?
Eu ___ preferência por viajar no verão.
The verb 'ter' (to have) is used with 'preferência' to express what you prefer.
🎉 得分： /2
视觉学习工具
Formality Scale of Expressing Preference
Short and direct
Sou mais...
The sweet spot for daily life
Tenho preferência por...
Very polite/Professional
A minha preferência recai sobre...
Where to use 'Tenho preferência por'
Booking a Hotel
Quarto com vista
Job Interview
Trabalho em equipe
Dinner with Friends
Comida japonesa
Shopping
Roupas de algodão
练习题库
2 练习Eu tenho preferência ___ chá verde em vez de café.
The phrase 'ter preferência' always takes the preposition 'por' in Portuguese.
Eu ___ preferência por viajar no verão.
The verb 'ter' (to have) is used with 'preferência' to express what you prefer.
🎉 得分： /2
常见问题
10 个问题Sort of, but it's more specific. It means you like one thing *more* than others in a given situation, like Tenho preferência por vinho tinto.
It's better for things or choices. Using it for people can sound a bit objectifying or like you're choosing a teammate for a game.
It is almost always preferência por. For example: Tenho preferência por este caminho.
Yes, it is perfectly understood and used in both countries, though Brazilians might use it slightly more in formal service contexts.
Absolutely! It is a very professional way to state your requirements, like Tenho preferência por receber o relatório na sexta.
You can say Não tenho preferência or Tanto faz (whatever/either way).
Yes, Tenho preferência por sounds slightly more structured and deliberate than the simple verb Prefiro.
Just put the verb in the infinitive after 'por'. For example: Tenho preferência por caminhar de manhã.
Usually, we drop the 'a'. Just Tenho preferência sounds more natural in most contexts.
The most common mistake is using the wrong preposition, like saying preferência de instead of preferência por.
相关表达
Prefiro
I prefer (shorter, more common)
Sou mais...
I'm more of a... (very informal/slang)
Daria prioridade a
I would give priority to (more formal)
Gosto mais de
I like ... more
