Favorito vs. preferido
The Spanish words 'favorito' and 'preferido', both translate to the English word 'favorite'. However, they are used in different contexts and slightly differ in connotation. 'Favorito' is more often related to personal likes and passions, while 'preferido' implies a conscious choice or preference between options.
Favorito
'Favorito' is an adjective that is equivalent to the English word 'favorite'. It gives a sense of something that one likes the most, something or someone who holds a special place in the heart, without necessarily implying a direct comparison or choice.
Mi color favorito es el azul.
(My favorite color is blue.)
Su comida favorita es la pizza.
(His favorite food is pizza.)
La Montaña Rusa es mi juego favorito en el parque de diversiones.
(The Roller Coaster is my favorite ride at the amusement park.)
Preferido
'Preferido' does also mean favorite but it heavily implies a choice or preference among different options. When you say something is your 'preferido', you're essentially saying that given many options, you would choose this one.
Entre todos los libros, este es mi preferido.
(Among all the books, this one is my favorite.)
"Star Wars" es mi película preferida en el género de ciencia ficción.
('Star Wars' is my preferred movie in the science fiction genre.)
De todas las estaciones del año, verano es mi preferida.
(Of all the seasons of the year, summer is my preferred one.)
Summary
While both 'favorito' and 'preferido' translate to favorite in English, their usage varies. 'Favorito' usually refers to something that you deeply love or like without comparing it to other things while 'preferido' implies a conscious choice between different options.