verstandiger

Verstandiger is in Dutch the comparative form of the adjective verstandig, meaning more sensible, reasonable, or prudent. It is used to indicate that one option, decision, or person has greater prudence or good sense than another.

Usage of verst alndiger occurs in two common positions. It can be used attributively before a noun, as in een verstandiger keuze (a more sensible choice). It can also be used predicatively after a linking verb, as in Dit besluit is verstandiger (This decision is more sensible). The comparative is routinely formed to compare two or more items, often with the word dan (than): Hij is verstandiger dan zijn broer (He is more sensible than his brother).

Intensity can be increased with adverbs such as veel or nog: veel verstandiger (much more sensible), nog verstandiger (even more sensible). In everyday language, verst andiger often conveys practical prudence rather than abstract wisdom, and it frequently appears in advice or decisions about timing, safety, or costs.

Note that verst andiger is an adjective, not commonly used as a standalone noun. To talk about a sensible person, Dutch speakers typically use the noun verstandige persoon or simply de verstandige (the sensible one) rather than forming a noun from the comparative.

See also: verstand (mind or sense), verstandig (sensible), verantwoording, normative usage notes on Dutch comparatives.