privilégier

Privilégier is a French verb meaning to privilege, to give priority to, or to favor. It is used transitively with a direct object and expresses a preference for one option over others. Common constructions include privilégier quelque chose à autre chose (to privilege something over something else) and privilégier quelqu’un (to favor someone).

Etymology and nuance: the verb derives from the noun privilège (privilege), which itself comes from Latin privilegium. The form conveys deliberate prioritization and often carries a value judgment about the chosen option. It can indicate practical preference (time, cost, effectiveness) or ethical or policy considerations. In usage, privilégier is typically contrasted with favoriser (to encourage or promote) and with donner la priorité à (to give priority to), the latter expressing a more direct act of prioritization.

Conjugation and examples: present tense forms are je privilégie, tu privilégies, il privilégie, nous privilégions, vous privilégiez, ils privilégient. Passé composé: j'ai privilégié; imperfect: je privilégiais; future: je privilégierai; subjunctive: que je privilégie; imperative: privilégie, privilégions, privilégiez. Examples: "La direction privilégie les solutions durables" and "Je privilégie la clarté dans mes rapports professionnels."