prefira

Prefira is a Portuguese verb form derived from preferir. It is not a standalone lexical item with a separate meaning; rather, it is a specific conjugation used in two main contexts: the present subjunctive mood and the imperative mood for the second-person singular "você" (and the corresponding third-person form). The verb preferir means "to prefer."

Conjugation and use: In the present subjunctive, prefira appears as eu prefira, tu prefiras, ele prefira, nós prefiramos, vós prefirais, eles prefiram. The form prefira without a subject typically marks the third-person singular present subjunctive (que ele prefira) or the formal imperative for you (prefira). The negative imperative is não prefira.

Etymology: Prefira derives from the Latin praeferre, meaning to carry before or to prefer. The stem prefir- reflects the historical development of the verb preferir in Romance languages.

Usage notes: It appears in subordinate clauses after expressions of desire, doubt, or necessity: “Espero que você prefira esta opção.” It can also function as a direct command to someone addressed as você: “Prefira a opção mais segura.” The form may be contrasted with present indicative forms like “prefere” and with conditional forms like “preferiria.”

See also: Portuguese grammar, subjunctive mood, preferir.