beter

Beter is the Dutch word meaning “better.” It functions as the comparative form of the adjective goed and is also used as an adverb to indicate improvement or a higher degree. In everyday use, beter is employed to compare two or more items, states, or qualities, and it can describe both nouns and situations.

Grammar and usage. As a comparative adjective, better is used in both attributive and predicative positions. For indefinite nouns, you can say “een betere …” (a better …). With a definite article or a preceding phrase, the ending -e is used: “de betere oplossing” or “het gaat beter.” In sentences, the common pattern is comparing two elements: “Dit boek is beter dan het andere.” As an adverb, it often appears in predicates like “Het gaat beter” (It is going better) or “We voelen ons beter na rust.”

Etymology and related forms. Beter is etymologically related to the English word better; both derive from the same Germanic roots as the comparative form of goed. The superlative of goed in Dutch is het beste (“the best”). Related Dutch forms include betere (the better) as the attributive form used with definite nouns.

See also. Goed, Beste. Dutch grammar of adjectives and comparatives. For broader context, the word’s usage spans statements about quality, condition, and improvement in everyday Dutch.