better
/ˈbetə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · [bˈɛtɚ] /ˈbetər/ (ame, ipa) · [bˈɛtɚ] /ˈbe-tər/ (ame, mw) · /ˈbet.ər/ (bre, ipa) · [bˈɛtɚ] /ˈbet̬.ɚ/ (ame, ipa)
better — 形容詞
- betterpositive
- betterercomparative
- betterestsuperlative
1. of higher quality, or more suitable or useful than another person or thing in th
更好
品質或適合度較高
of higher quality, or more suitable or useful than another person or thing in the same situation.
Linh bought the better microphone after comparing both recordings.
Linh 比較兩段錄音後，買了那支較好的麥克風。
better + noun after comparison
This path is better for wheelchairs because the slope is gentle.
這條路對輪椅來說比較好走，因為坡度比較緩。
After two interviews, Christopher seemed the better choice for captain.
面試兩輪後，Christopher 看起來是較好的隊長人選。
The second map gives hikers a better idea of the river bend.
第二張地圖讓健行的人更清楚那個河灣的地形。
文法句型
better + noun
be better than
用法筆記
Use this sense to compare two choices, people, or states. After linking verbs, it often means more suitable, more pleasing, or more effective in the situation.
2. back to normal health after sickness or an injury.
好轉
病情或傷勢恢復一些
back to normal health after sickness or an injury.
After three days of rest, Amani finally felt better.
休息三天後，Amani 終於覺得好轉了。
feel better after illness
Tanvi looked better once the fever medicine started working.
退燒藥開始發揮作用後，Tanvi 看起來好多了。
The dog was better by Friday and wanted a short walk.
到了星期五，那隻狗已經好轉，還想出去短暫散步。
Ezra sounded much better on the phone after the surgery.
手術後，Ezra 在電話裡聽起來好多了。
文法句型
feel better
get better
be better
用法筆記
Usually follows verbs such as feel, get, look, or sound. It describes recovery, not general improvement in skill or quality.
3. showing improvement compared with before, even if it is not fully good yet.
好一些
比先前的狀況更好
showing improvement compared with before, even if it is not fully good yet.
Traffic was better today, but the bridge was still crowded.
今天交通比較好了，但橋上還是很擠。
better now than before
Rodrigo's handwriting is better now after weeks of practice.
練了幾週後，Rodrigo 的字現在好多了。
The room looked better once we opened the curtains.
我們把窗簾拉開後，房間看起來好多了。
Sales were better in May than they were in April.
五月的業績比四月好一些。
文法句型
be better now
get better over time
用法筆記
This sense focuses on improvement from an earlier state. Distinguish it from sense 2, which is specifically about recovery from illness or injury.
better — 副詞
1. more successfully, more usefully, or at a higher level than before or than anoth
更好地
以較佳方式或更高程度
more successfully, more usefully, or at a higher level than before or than another option.
Takeshi sleeps better when the window is slightly open.
窗戶微微打開時，Takeshi 會睡得更好。
verb + better for improved result
With subtitles on, my parents understood the film better.
開著字幕時，我爸媽更能看懂這部電影。
After the second lesson, Anya could balance much better on the board.
上完第二堂課後，Anya 在板上平衡得好多了。
We know the city better after walking through it at dawn.
清晨走過這座城市後，我們更了解它了。
文法句型
verb + better
much better + verb
用法筆記
Common after verbs such as know, sleep, understand, and do. It often marks a stronger result after some helpful change.
2. used before an adjective or participle to show a higher degree, especially in se
更
放在形容詞前表程度更高
used before an adjective or participle to show a higher degree, especially in set comparisons.
Rachel arrived better prepared for the interview than I was.
Rachel 來面試時，準備得比我更充分。
better + past participle
The singer is better known in Brazil than in Spain.
這位歌手在巴西比在西班牙更有名。
After the workshop, Mert felt better able to explain the software.
上完工作坊後，Mert 更能解釋這套軟體了。
This route is better suited to bikes than to cars.
這條路線比起汽車，更適合腳踏車。
文法句型
better + past participle
better + adjective
用法筆記
This pattern often appears with participles such as known, prepared, suited, or placed. It usually compares degrees rather than full actions.
3. said before another suggestion to mark it as an even more pleasing or practical
更理想
表示後面的做法更合適
said before another suggestion to mark it as an even more pleasing or practical choice.
Call the clinic tomorrow, or better still, book online tonight.
明天打去診所吧，或者更理想的是今晚直接上網預約。
or better still for a stronger suggestion
We could meet at noon, or better yet, share lunch first.
我們可以中午見面，或者更好的是先一起吃午餐。
Send one photo now, or better, bring the camera.
現在先傳一張照片，或者更好的是把相機帶來。
Start with the short report, or better still, read the summary sheet.
先看短報告吧，或者更理想的是直接讀摘要頁。
文法句型
or better still
or better yet
or better
用法筆記
It usually follows an earlier idea and introduces a choice the speaker likes more. It is common in speech and informal writing.
4. used in had better or would do better to say what is wiser, often with warning o
最好
表示最好這麼做，常帶警告
used in had better or would do better to say what is wiser, often with warning or strong advice.
You had better charge the lantern before the storm arrives.
暴風雨來之前，你最好先把提燈充好電。
had better + base verb
We would do better to leave before the parade blocks the road.
在遊行把路堵住前，我們最好先離開。
would do better to + verb
Eitan had better tell the coach about his ankle today.
Eitan 最好今天就告訴教練他的腳踝情況。
You had better not joke about passports at the airport.
你最好別在機場拿護照開玩笑。
文法句型
had better + base verb
would do better to + verb
用法筆記
Had better is stronger than a casual suggestion and can sound like a warning. Use the base form of the verb after it.
better — 名詞
1. a person, thing, or result judged to be above what is being discussed or compare
較佳者
比較之下更好的事物或結果
a person, thing, or result judged to be above what is being discussed or compared.
The bakery's new loaf was good, but I have tasted better.
那家麵包店的新麵包不錯，但我吃過更好的。
have tasted better
We watched eight goalkeepers today, and I have not seen better this season.
我們今天看了八位守門員，而我這一季還沒見過更好的。
The old speaker still works, and we cannot afford better right now.
這台舊喇叭還能用，而我們現在也買不起更好的。
The coach admired the finish and said no better was possible.
教練很欣賞那次衝線，還說不可能有更好的表現了。
文法句型
have seen better
afford better
no better
用法筆記
This noun use often appears without a following noun because the comparison is understood from context. It commonly follows verbs such as see, taste, or afford.
2. the more respectful treatment, performance, or result someone should receive or
更好待遇
應得到更好的對待或表現
the more respectful treatment, performance, or result someone should receive or should have given.
Amani left the company because she deserved better.
Amani 離開那家公司，因為她值得更好的待遇。
deserve better
After the shouting, the children expected better from their uncle.
吼叫那件事之後，孩子們期待叔叔表現得更好。
The patients deserve better than chairs in a cold hallway.
病人不該只坐在冰冷走廊的椅子上，他們值得更好的待遇。
Ezra wanted better from the team after another careless loss.
又一次粗心失誤後，Ezra 希望球隊能表現得更好。
文法句型
deserve better
expect better from
用法筆記
Use this sense when someone has behaved badly or given too little. It often appears after deserve, expect, want, or ask for.
3. people placed above you in class, authority, or social standing.
上位者
地位或階級較高的人
people placed above you in class, authority, or social standing.
In the old estate, servants never questioned their betters.
在那座古老莊園裡，僕人從不質疑比自己地位高的人。
one's betters in a class system
The play mocks people who bow too quickly to their betters.
這齣戲嘲諷那些太快向上位者低頭的人。
As a page, Christopher was taught to step aside for his betters.
當侍童時，Christopher 被教導要為地位較高的人讓路。
The novel shows a clerk trying to impress his betters at dinner.
那本小說描寫一名職員在晚宴上想討好上位者。
文法句型
one's betters
用法筆記
This is an old-fashioned or literary use. It usually refers to social rank rather than moral quality or personal talent.
better — 動詞
- betterpresent simple I / you / we / they
- betters3rd person singular
- bettering-ing form
- betteredpast simple
1. to make a condition, system, or situation better than it was before.
改善
使情況或條件變得更好
to make a condition, system, or situation better than it was before.
The grant will better housing conditions in the fishing town.
這筆補助將改善那個漁村的居住條件。
better + conditions
Volunteers worked to better access to clean water in the valley.
志工努力改善山谷裡取得乾淨飲水的機會。
The repairs better safety for children using the school stairs.
這些修繕改善了使用學校樓梯的孩子們的安全。
New rules could better working conditions for night nurses.
新規定可能會改善夜班護理師的工作條件。
文法句型
better + object
用法筆記
This verb is more formal than improve. It is common in writing about policy, education, health, or living conditions.
2. to raise your own social or professional position, often through study or work.
提升際遇
靠工作或學習提升地位
to raise your own social or professional position, often through study or work.
Linh took evening classes to better herself after the factory closed.
工廠關閉後，Linh 去上夜校來提升自己的際遇。
better oneself through study
Mert moved abroad hoping to better himself through study.
Mert 搬到國外，希望靠讀書來提升自己的際遇。
The brothers saved every bonus to better themselves and their children.
那對兄弟把每次獎金都存下來，好提升自己和孩子的際遇。
Rachel joined the apprenticeship program to better herself without borrowing money.
Rachel 參加學徒計畫，想在不借錢的情況下提升自己的際遇。
文法句型
better oneself
用法筆記
This use usually takes a reflexive object such as himself, herself, or themselves. It suggests social or economic progress rather than simple self-improvement.