beter

Etymology

From Dutch beter. The verb sense is a calque from English better.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈbɪətər/

Adjective

beter

1. comparative degree of goed

Verb

beter (present beter)

1. had better (used as an auxiliary verb to mean should; must)

   Jy beter versigtig wees.

   You (had) better be careful.

Etymology

From Middle Dutch beter, from Old Dutch betiro, from Proto-Germanic *batizô, comparative of *gōdaz. Cognate with Low German beter, West Frisian better, English better, German besser, Danish bedre, Swedish bättre.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈbeːtər/

• audio (Netherlands)

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• audio (Belgium)

  (file)

Adjective

beter

1. Comparative form of goed; better.

Verb

beter

1. first-person singular present indicative of beteren
2. imperative of beteren

Etymology

From Old Dutch betera, betiro, from Proto-Germanic *batizô.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈbɛːtər/

Adjective

bēter

1. better; comparative degree of goet

Adverb

bēter

1. better; comparative degree of wel

Verb

beter

1. present tense of bete.

Etymology

From Ottoman Turkish [Term?], from Persian بدتر‎ (bad-tar).

Adjective

beter

1. worse