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Is the word preferir the same in Brazilian and European Portuguese?

No

While the dictionary definition and spelling of "preferir" are identical in both varieties, there are significant differences in typical usage and syntax.

In Brazilian Portuguese (BP), the most common way to express a preference between two things in spoken language is using the construction "preferir [something] do que [something else]." In Continental Portuguese (EP), this is considered grammatically incorrect; they strictly use the construction "preferir [something] a [something else]." Additionally, while the verb itself is conjugated similarly, the surrounding vocabulary (such as words for transportation or places) and the use of the second-person pronoun (tu in EP vs. você in BP) change the way the sentence is structured.

Brazilian Portuguese Usage

  1. Eu prefiro chocolate do que baunilha. (I prefer chocolate over vanilla.)
  2. Ela prefere viajar de trem. (She prefers traveling by train.)
  3. Você prefere comer pizza ou hambúrguer? (Do you prefer eating pizza or a hamburger?)
  4. A gente prefere pegar o ônibus agora. (We prefer to take the bus now.)
  5. Eu prefiro não ir ao shopping hoje. (I prefer not to go to the mall today.)

Continental Portuguese Usage

  1. Eu prefiro chocolate a baunilha. (I prefer chocolate to vanilla.)
  2. Ela prefere viajar de comboio. (She prefers traveling by train.)
  3. Preferes comer pizza ou um hambúrguer? (Do you prefer eating pizza or a hamburger?)
  4. Nós preferimos apanhar o autocarro agora. (We prefer to take the bus now.)
  5. Eu prefiro não ir ao centro comercial hoje. (I prefer not to go to the shopping center today.)