How do you say favorite in Spanish?

The Spanish word for favorite is favorito (fah-voh-REE-toh), which changes to favorita for feminine nouns — both forms are direct cognates of the English word.

What is the difference between favorito and preferido?

Favorito and preferido are nearly interchangeable synonyms, though preferido comes from the verb preferir (to prefer) and can sound slightly more deliberate or reasoned in choice.

How do you ask 'What's your favorite?' in Spanish?

Use ¿Cuál es tu favorito/favorita? for a specific category, or ¿Cuál prefieres? (which do you prefer?) for choosing between options presented.

Spanish vocabulary · Beginner

How to Say Favorite in Spanish: Favorito

Written by Sofia Ramirez, Lead Spanish Curriculum Editor · Reviewed May 2026

Favorito · adjective · fah-voh-REE-toh

Favorite in Spanish is favorito (masculine) or favorita (feminine). The synonym preferido/preferida is equally common and interchangeable in most contexts.

Favorito is pronounced fah-voh-REE-toh, with four syllables and stress on the third.

Mi color favorito es el azul.

My favorite color is blue.

Favorite in Spanish: Quick Reference

Below are the most common Spanish words for favorite, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.

Spanish	English	Pronunciation	Region / Register
favorito	favorite	fah-voh-REE-toh	Default, widely understood
preferido	favorite		synonym meaning preferred

How Native Speakers Use Favorito

Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.

Expressing preferences

¿Cuál es tu película favorita de todos los tiempos?

What's your favorite movie of all time?

Asking about preferences.

Using preferido

Este restaurante es mi preferido para cenar los viernes.

This restaurant is my favorite for Friday dinners.

Synonym usage with preferido.

Sports context

Brasil es el favorito para ganar el Mundial.

Brazil is the favorite to win the World Cup.

Favorito used as a noun (the favorite).

Avoid These Mistakes When Using Favorito

Forgetting gender agreement

Incorrect: Mi canción favorito es esa.

Correct: Mi canción favorita es esa.

Canción is feminine, so the adjective must be favorita, not favorito.

Using most favorite

Incorrect: Es mi más favorito.

Correct: Es mi favorito.

Favorito already implies the superlative — adding más is redundant, just as most favorite is redundant in English.

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Why word lists alone don't stick

Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.

See Favorito used by native speakers

Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using favorito in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Mi color favorito es el azul. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.

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Common Questions About Favorite in Spanish

How do you say favorite in Spanish?: The Spanish word for favorite is favorito (fah-voh-REE-toh), which changes to favorita for feminine nouns — both forms are direct cognates of the English word.
What is the difference between favorito and preferido?: Favorito and preferido are nearly interchangeable synonyms, though preferido comes from the verb preferir (to prefer) and can sound slightly more deliberate or reasoned in choice.
How do you ask 'What's your favorite?' in Spanish?: Use ¿Cuál es tu favorito/favorita? for a specific category, or ¿Cuál prefieres? (which do you prefer?) for choosing between options presented.