Explaining Preferences and Comparing Products in Spanish
Explaining Preferences and Comparing Products in Spanish
In this lesson, you will compare familiar products and explain which one you prefer using a clear practical reason.
Useful product criteria
- — price
- — size
- — quality
- — use
- / — cheap
- / — expensive
- — big / large
- / — small
- / — good
State the comparison first
- — The blue backpack is cheaper than the black one.
- — The large suitcase is more expensive than the small one.
- — This phone is smaller than that one.
Then state your preference
- — I prefer the blue backpack.
- — I prefer the small suitcase.
- — I prefer this phone.
Add a practical reason with porque
— The blue backpack is cheaper than the black one. I prefer the blue one because it costs less.
For this lesson, — costs less is a useful price comparison phrase.
Price is not the only criterion
A more expensive product can still be preferable for a different purpose.
— The large suitcase is more expensive, but it is bigger. I prefer the large one because I need a lot of space.
For this lesson, — space is useful product vocabulary.
Compare using one stable criterion
If you compare price, keep the discussion about price until you clearly introduce a new criterion.
— This phone is cheaper than that one.
Then, if you change to size, say so explicitly:
— But that phone is bigger.
Choosing for a purpose
Use para + noun as a simple purpose phrase.
- — For work, I prefer this phone.
- — For traveling, I prefer the large suitcase.
For this lesson, — for traveling is a useful purpose phrase.
Comparing equal quality
— The two phones are as good as the other models, but this one is less expensive.
Product comparison 1
— Product A: blue backpack, 30 euros, small.
— Product B: black backpack, 45 euros, large.
A possible choice:
— I prefer the blue backpack because it is cheaper.
Product comparison 2
— Product A: small suitcase, 50 euros.
— Product B: large suitcase, 70 euros.
A possible choice:
— I prefer the large suitcase because I need more space.
Ask for the other person's preference
- — Which one do you prefer?
- — Why?
Short conversation
Person A: — Which one do you prefer?
Person B: — I prefer the blue backpack.
Person A: — Why?
Person B: — Because it is cheaper.
A practical decision method
- Choose a fixed criterion such as price, size, quality, or use.
- Compare the two products using más, menos, or tan.
- State your preference.
- Give a practical reason with porque.
- If you change the comparison criterion, say so explicitly.
- Do not assume that the most expensive option is automatically the best for the purpose.
From Product Preferences to Superlatives
You can now explain a product preference using clear comparison criteria and a practical reason. The next lesson introduces relative superlatives and the irregular comparisons mejor, peor, mayor, and menor.
Spanish phrases
La mochila azul es más barata que la negra.
The blue backpack is cheaper than the black one.
La maleta grande es más cara que la pequeña.
The large suitcase is more expensive than the small one.
Este teléfono es más pequeño que ese.
This phone is smaller than that one.
Prefiero la mochila azul.
I prefer the blue backpack.
Prefiero la maleta pequeña.
I prefer the small suitcase.
Prefiero este teléfono.
I prefer this phone.
La mochila azul es más barata que la negra. Prefiero la azul porque cuesta menos.
The blue backpack is cheaper than the black one. I prefer the blue one because it costs less.
La maleta grande es más cara, pero es más grande. Prefiero la grande porque necesito mucho espacio.
The large suitcase is more expensive, but it is bigger. I prefer the large one because I need a lot of space.
Este teléfono es más barato que ese.
This phone is cheaper than that one.
Pero ese teléfono es más grande.
But that phone is bigger.
Para el trabajo, prefiero este teléfono.
For work, I prefer this phone.
Para viajar, prefiero la maleta grande.
For traveling, I prefer the large suitcase.
Prefiero la mochila azul porque es más barata.
I prefer the blue backpack because it is cheaper.
Prefiero la maleta grande porque necesito más espacio.
I prefer the large suitcase because I need more space.
¿Cuál prefieres?
Which one do you prefer?
Porque es más barata.
Because it is cheaper.