slechtere

Slechtere is the comparative form of the Dutch adjective slecht, meaning worse. It is used to compare two or more items, indicating that one is of lower quality, in a worse condition, or less favorable outcome than another. In Dutch, slechtere is typically used as an attributive modifier before a noun, and the -e ending appears according to standard adjective inflection when the noun is definite or plural. For example: de slechtere oplossing (the worse solution), de slechtere keuzes (the worse choices), een slechtere uitkomst (a worse outcome).

In predicative position after a linking verb, the form slechter is used rather than slechtere. For instance: Het weer wordt slechter (The weather is getting worse). The form slechtere therefore mainly appears before nouns and is not used after a linking verb.

Etymology and related forms: slechtere derives from the base adjective slecht with the standard comparative suffix -er and the inflectional -e ending in certain contexts. It is part of a small cluster of related forms in Dutch, including slechter (the comparative) and slechtst (the superlative).

Usage notes: Slechtere can refer to the worse option, the worse performer, or the inferior version within a pair or group. It is common in both formal and informal Dutch. When emphasizing a contrast between two items, slechtere is a natural choice before a noun; for sharp contrasts, the superlative vorm slechtst or related phrases may be used.