1. to improve something or make it more satisfactory
改善，使更好
She took a course to better her English skills.
她參加了一門課程來提升她的英語能力。
The company is always looking for ways to better its services.
這家公司一直在尋找方法來改善其服務。
Better Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
better
verb
快速理解
What does "Better" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Better"?
「better」作動詞時，主要表示「改善」或「勝過」的意思。
- 1
改善、改進
EN: to make something better
翻譯: 使某事物變得更好、改善
- 2
超越、勝過
EN: to do better than someone or something
翻譯: 表現得比某人或某事物更好、超越
- 3
提高、增進
EN: to better oneself (through education, effort, etc.)
翻譯: 提升自我（透過教育、努力等）
小提醒：注意「better」作動詞時是規則變化（better, bettered, bettered），不要與形容詞或副詞的比較級「better」混淆。
發音（How to Pronounce "Better" in English）
How to pronounce "Better" in English?"Better" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Better" from YouTube Videos
Steven Schwaitzberg: A universal translator for surgeons
TED
“That's what I want to talk to you about tonight -- how doing and teaching this type of surgery led us on a search for a better universal translator.”
(1 out of 419)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Better"?How does "Better" change by context?
2. to do better than someone else; to surpass
勝過，超越
He hopes to better his previous score on the next test.
他希望在下一次測驗中超越自己先前的分數。
Their sales this quarter have bettered all expectations.
他們這一季的銷售額超出了所有人的預期。
3. to improve one's social or economic position
提升（社會或經濟地位）
She worked hard to better herself and provide for her family.
她努力工作以提升自己並養活家人。
Many immigrants came to the country hoping to better their lives.
許多移民來到這個國家，希望改善自己的生活。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Better"?How to make natural sentences with "Better"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| better + oneself | 提升自己；改善自身狀況 | He took night classes to better himself. (他上夜校來提升自己。) |
| better + something | 改善某事物；使某事物更好 | The new manager hopes to better the company's performance. (新經理希望改善公司的業績。) |
| better + one's chances/position | 提高自己的機會/改善處境 | She volunteered to better her chances of getting into university. (她做志工以提高自己上大學的機會。) |
| can't/couldn't + better + something | 無法做得更好；已臻完美 | You can't better this traditional recipe. (你無法把這個傳統食譜做得更好了。) |
| strive to + better + something | 努力改善某事物 | The community strives to better the local environment. (社區努力改善當地的環境。) |
用法說明
How is "Better" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Better"?
better doing vs better to do
- better doing 通常用於描述一般性、習慣性的建議或更優的選擇，結構為
had better + 動詞原形(口語中常省略had)。 - better to do 則常用於提出一個具體情境下的建議或更明智的決定，結構為
it is better to + 動詞原形。 - 注意常見錯誤：沒有 would better to do 這種結構。正確的假設語氣應使用 would be better to do。
對比例句： EN: You had better check the weather before you go hiking. 翻譯: 你去健行前最好先查看天氣。
EN:It is better to check the weather before you go hiking.
翻譯:在去健行前，先查看天氣是比較好的做法。
EN:I think we better leave now to avoid the traffic.
翻譯:我想我們最好現在離開，以避開車潮。
EN:It would be better to leave now to avoid the traffic.
翻譯:現在就離開以避開車潮會比較好。
總結建議
給出一般或緊急建議時用 had better do，而評論特定行動方案時則用 it is better/would be better to do。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Better" and similar words?How to choose "Better" vs alternatives?
better vs improve
"better" 作為動詞時，通常指「超越、勝過」，強調在比較中表現得更好；"improve" 則指「改進、提升」，強調使事物本身變得更好。
better vs surpass
"better" 和 "surpass" 都有「超越」的意思，但 "surpass" 語氣更正式、更強烈，常指超越標準、期望或他人成就。
better vs excel
"better" 強調在比較中勝出；"excel" 則強調在某領域表現出色、卓越，通常指天賦或能力的展現。
口語用法
How is "Better" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Better"?
引述
在口語中，常用來引述或轉述他人的建議或意見，語氣較為客觀。 EN: He said I should better check the schedule before leaving. 翻譯: 他說我最好在離開前確認一下時間表。
EN:You'd better ask your mom first, that's what she told me.
翻譯:你最好先問問你媽媽，她是這麼跟我說的。
語氣強調
與否定詞或疑問詞連用，加強警告、建議或驚訝的語氣。 EN: You better not be late again, or you'll miss the whole thing. 翻譯: 你最好不要再遲到了，不然你會錯過整件事。
EN:What better time to start than now?
翻譯:還有什麼比現在開始更好的時機呢？
停頓填充
在思考或組織語句時，作為短暫的停頓填充詞，使語氣聽起來更委婉或尋求共識。 EN: It would be, you know, better if we could meet in person. 翻譯: 如果我們能見面談，你知道的，會比較好。
EN:I feel like... better safe than sorry, right?
翻譯:我覺得... 安全總比後悔好，對吧？
正式寫作注意：在正式書面語（如報告、論文、正式信件）中，應避免使用上述口語化的 better 用法。建議使用更完整的結構，如 it would be preferable/advisable to... 或 one should... 來表達建議，以符合正式文體的嚴謹性。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Better"?What fixed phrases with "Better" should I remember?
better oneself
verb phrase
提升自己；改善自身狀況
better the situation
verb + noun phrase
改善處境；使情況好轉
better your chances
verb + possessive + noun
增加你的機會；提高勝算
better the lives of
verb + noun phrase + preposition
改善…的生活
better off
comparative adjective phrase (often used with 'be' or 'leave')
境況更好；更富裕；更有利
have better things to do
verb phrase (colloquial)
有更重要的事要做；沒空理會
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Better"?Which "Better" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×I better go now.
✓I had better go now.
在正式英語中，'better' 單獨用作助動詞表示建議或必要性時，前面通常需要 'had'。口語中常省略 'had'，但在書寫或正式場合應保留。
×You better to study harder.
✓You had better study harder.
'Had better' 後面直接接動詞原形，不加 'to'。這是固定用法，類似於情態動詞。
×He better not to be late.
✓He had better not be late.
'Had better' 的否定形式是 'had better not' 加動詞原形，中間不加 'to'。
×It's better that you will arrive on time.
✓It's better that you arrive on time.
在 'It's better that...' 句型中，that 子句通常使用現在式動詞表示建議或未來情況，或用 'should + 動詞原形'，而非未來式 'will'。
×You are better see a doctor.
✓You had better see a doctor.
表示「你最好...」的建議時，應使用 'had better'，而非 'are better'。'Are better' 是用於比較兩者狀態。
×I better you call him tomorrow.
✓It would be better if you called him tomorrow.
'Better' 作為動詞（建議）時，不能直接接人稱代名詞作為受詞來表示「建議某人做某事」。需改用其他句型，如 'It would be better if...'。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Better"?What are tense/participle forms of "Better"?
betters(3rd_singular)bettering(present_participle)bettered(past)bettered(past_participle)