How to say "preference" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 優先ゆうせんsuru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verb, no-adjectiveCovers the sense of preferring one thing over another by giving it priority or precedence. Use when talking about giving something preference, as in treating one matter first or yielding the right of way.
- 志向しこうnoun, suru verb, transitive verbA preference understood as an orientation or leaning toward a goal. Use for preferences that express someone's direction or aim, such as a preference for a certain style or approach.
- 嗜好しこうnoun, suru verb, transitive verbRefers to taste or liking, especially refined personal preferences in food, drink, or pastimes. Use when describing what a person favors according to their individual palate or cultivated tastes.
- 優先権ゆうせんけんnounPreference in the concrete sense of a preferential right or entitlement to priority, including right of way. Use in legal or formal contexts where someone holds an actual right to be preferred.
- 趣味しゅみnounCovers tastes and liking in everyday personal preference, particularly in hobbies and lifestyle choices. Use casually when asking about or describing what someone happens to like.
For 'preference' meaning putting something first use 優先 or 優先権, for personal tastes and likes use 嗜好, 趣味, or 志向 depending on nuance.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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