preferir
/pɾefeˈɾiɾ/ · A2 · verb
to prefer
pre + ferir: Latin prae (before) + ferre (to carry) = to put first
Nearly the same word as English prefer, both from Latin praeferre: to carry in front. What you prefer is what you place ahead of the rest. Spanish adds the -ir verb ending, and the stem shifts under stress: prefiero, I prefer.