Eu prefiro a carne sem pimenta.

I

Breakdown of Eu prefiro a carne sem pimenta.

• preferir: to prefer
• sem: without
• a carne: the meat

Questions & Answers about Eu prefiro a carne sem pimenta.

Why is eu included here? Can I just say Prefiro a carne sem pimenta?

Yes. In Brazilian Portuguese, eu is often optional because the verb form prefiro already shows that the subject is I.

• Eu prefiro a carne sem pimenta.
• Prefiro a carne sem pimenta.

Both are natural. Including eu can add emphasis, contrast, or clarity.

What does prefiro mean exactly, and what is the base form of the verb?

Prefiro is the I form of the verb preferir, which means to prefer.

Present tense of preferir:

• eu prefiro = I prefer
• você/ele/ela prefere = you/he/she prefers
• nós preferimos = we prefer
• vocês/eles/elas preferem = you/they prefer

So prefiro is not an infinitive; it is a conjugated verb.

Why is it a carne and not just carne?