besser
/ˈbɛsɐ/
The German word for better is besser.
It can function as the comparative form of the adjective gut (good) or the adverb gut (well).
Meaning: comparative of the adjectives good or well (adj)
Which one should you use?
While besser is the comparative form meaning better, you should use am besten when you want to express the superlative meaning the best in an adverbial sense.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
besser serves as the comparative for both the adjective and the adverb forms of gut.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbɛsɐ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying mehr gut when you mean better. The correct comparative form is besser.
Did you know?
- German speakers use the phrase besserwisser to describe a 'know-it-all', literally translating to 'better-knower'.
- If you look back far enough into history, the distant relative of besser is the Sanskrit word bhadrá, which means 'blessed' or 'fortunate'.
- When someone is recovering from an illness, a German speaker might ask Geht es Ihnen besser?, using besser to mean 'improved' rather than just 'higher quality'.
Examples in context
- Es ist besser so.It's better that way.Tatoeba #796941 by Esperantostern, translation #7101131 by shekitten
- Ist es so besser?Is that better?Tatoeba #3766179 by Jens_Odo, translation #1886907 by CK
- Besser er als ich.Better him than me.Tatoeba #1790807 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1790799 by Spamster
- Ich habe eine bessere IdeeI have a better idea
- Er ist ein besserer VorgesetzterHe is a better supervisor
- Die neue Kollektion ist höherwertigThe new collection is better quality
- Ich habe einen besseren PlanI have a better plan
- Das neue Buch ist besser als das alte.The new book is better than the old one.
- Die Arbeit wird besser bezahlt als zuvor.The job is paid better than before.
- Er ist besser als sie.He is better than her.
- Dieses Hotel ist besser als das andere.This hotel is better than the other one.
- Dieses Restaurant ist viel besser.This restaurant is much better.
- Das Auto fährt weitaus besser als das alte.The car drives much better than the old one.
- 3185 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hannah and Julian are discussing a recent meal.
- HannahWar das Essen gut?Was the food good?
- JulianEs war okay, aber die Pizza war besser.It was okay, but the pizza was better.
- HannahStimmt, die Pizza war wirklich besser.True, the pizza was really better.
- JulianSollen wir nächstes Mal wieder Pizza bestellen?Should we order pizza again next time?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “better” translations and entries besser, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries besser, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
