Questions & Answers about Eu prefiro o de algodão.
O is the masculine singular definite article: o = the.
In this sentence, o is standing in for a previously mentioned masculine noun, for example:
- Eu prefiro o de algodão.
I prefer the cotton one.
(implied: o casaco / o vestido / o chapéu, etc.)
So o here works a bit like the English word “one” in “the cotton one”.
If the missing noun were feminine, you’d use a instead:
- Eu prefiro a de algodão. – I prefer the cotton one. (feminine thing)
De is the normal preposition to express material or composition in Portuguese:
- de algodão – made of cotton
- de madeira – (made) of wood
- de vidro – (made) of glass
So o de algodão literally is “the one of cotton”, which corresponds to English “the cotton one” or “the one made of cotton.”
Compare:
- de algodão – of cotton / made from cotton (general material)
- do algodão – of the cotton (more specific: referring to a particular cotton, context-dependent; much less common as a material label)
- em algodão – literally “in cotton”; used in different contexts (e.g. “está em algodão” is unusual; you’d normally still say “é de algodão”).
The sentence assumes both speakers already know what item they’re talking about. For example, imagine a shop:
- Clerk shows two shirts: one cotton, one polyester.
- Customer says: Eu prefiro o de algodão.
The full version would be something like:
- Eu prefiro o (camisola / casaco / vestido) de algodão.
Since the noun (e.g. casaco) is obvious from context, it’s dropped.
O de algodão = o [X] de algodão where [X] is understood.
The article agrees with the missing noun in gender and number:
- Masculine singular: o de algodão – the cotton one (masc. sing.)
- Feminine singular: a de algodão – the cotton one (fem. sing.)
- Masculine plural: os de algodão – the cotton ones (masc. pl.)
- Feminine plural: as de algodão – the cotton ones (fem. pl.)
So you choose o / a / os / as depending on the gender and number of the implied noun.
Algodão is a noun meaning cotton (the material).
In the expression de algodão, algodão is just the name of the material and does not change:
- camisa de algodão – cotton shirt
- calças de algodão – cotton trousers
- meias de algodão – cotton socks
Materials in this de + material pattern normally stay in their base form and do not agree in gender/number with the item:
- sapato de couro / sapatos de couro – leather shoe / leather shoes
- copos de vidro – glass cups
So algodão remains the same regardless of o / a / os / as.
You can absolutely drop Eu here:
- Prefiro o de algodão. – totally natural.
In European Portuguese, the subject pronoun is often left out because the verb ending (-o in prefiro) already indicates the subject is eu.
Keeping Eu adds a slight emphasis on I, or makes it a bit clearer in longer or more complex sentences, but in a simple sentence like this, both are normal:
- Eu prefiro o de algodão.
- Prefiro o de algodão.
You can say Eu prefiro algodão, but it means something more general:
Eu prefiro algodão.
→ I prefer cotton (as a material, in general).Eu prefiro o de algodão.
→ I prefer the cotton one (this specific item, in this situation, compared to others).
So:
- If you are choosing between items, and you want this particular cotton item, you need o de algodão.
- If you are talking in general about what material you like, algodão without an article can work: Em roupa, prefiro algodão. – When it comes to clothes, I prefer cotton.
Yes, that’s correct, and it’s a bit more specific:
Eu prefiro o de algodão.
→ I prefer the cotton one (among those being discussed; the reference is already clear).Eu prefiro aquele de algodão.
→ I prefer that cotton one (usually pointing or clearly distinguishing it from others).
Aquele adds the idea of that one over there / that specific one, often with physical or clear visual reference.
Preferir is very close to English “to prefer”, but watch two things:
No extra “mais”:
Don’t say “eu prefiro mais” (a common mistake influenced by “I like X more”).
Just say:- Eu prefiro o de algodão. – I prefer the cotton one.
Comparing two things (formal grammar):
Traditionally, you say preferir X a Y:- Prefiro o de algodão ao de lã.
I prefer the cotton one to the wool one.
- Prefiro o de algodão ao de lã.
In everyday speech, people sometimes use do que instead of a, but a is the standard:
- Prefiro isto a aquilo. – I prefer this to that.
Yes, and the nuance is different:
Prefiro o algodão.
→ I prefer the cotton (as a material, compared with another named or implied material).
Example: Entre lã e algodão, prefiro o algodão. – Between wool and cotton, I prefer cotton.Prefiro o de algodão.
→ I prefer the cotton one (a specific item that is made of cotton).
So o algodão focuses on the material itself, while o de algodão focuses on a particular object made of that material.
In this exact context (choosing between items by material), do algodão would sound odd. You normally say:
- o de algodão – the one made of cotton.
Do algodão means “of the cotton”, referring to some specific cotton already defined in context, which is unusual in a simple “material” description.
You will see do as de + o in other contexts:
- o sabor do algodão doce – the taste of the cotton candy.
- o preço do algodão – the price of (the) cotton.
But for “the cotton one (shirt)”, you want o de algodão, not o do algodão.
It’s neutral. You can use it:
- With friends and family.
- In shops and restaurants.
- In relatively formal situations.
It’s a simple, standard way to express a preference and is appropriate in almost any context.
The sentence Eu prefiro o de algodão is perfectly correct in both European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese.
The main differences would be:
- Pronunciation (PT‑PT vs. PT‑BR).
- In European Portuguese, dropping Eu (Prefiro o de algodão) is extremely common; in Brazilian Portuguese it’s also possible, though Brazilians tend to keep subject pronouns slightly more often in everyday speech.
Grammatically and structurally, the sentence works the same in both varieties.