ausbessern
to patch up
To repair small damage, cracks, or holes in something in order to make it usable or presentable again.
EXAMPLE
Ich muss noch das Loch in meiner Jeans ausbessern.
I still have to patch up the hole in my jeans.
ausbessern
to patch up / repair
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Meanings
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Ausbessern' (to patch up / repair) is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'aus' goes at the end of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Der Maler bessert die Risse in der Wand aus.
The painter patches up the cracks in the wall.
Word structure
The word is made up of 'aus' and 'bessern' (to improve/make better). It describes the action of fixing a mistake or damage in order to improve the condition again.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du bitte die Tippfehler im Dokument ausbessern?
Could you please correct the typos in the document?
Typical collocations
'Ausbessern' (to patch up / repair) is used for small repairs. Typical objects are 'Löcher' (holes) in clothing or roads, 'Risse' (cracks) in walls, 'Schäden' (damage) to furniture, or also 'Fehler' (errors/mistakes) in a text.
EXAMPLE
Die Stadt lässt die Schlaglöcher auf der Hauptstraße ausbessern.
The city is having the potholes on the main road patched up.
Compare with
ausbessern vs verbessern
to improve
A damaged object can be improved or patched up. Verbessern refers generally to its condition or quality, while ausbessern specifically repairs typical small kinds of damage such as cracks or holes. For a general improvement in quality, use „verbessern“; for a localized repair, use „ausbessern“.
ausbessern
Wir bessern den alten Stuhl aus, indem wir den Riss im Sitz reparieren.
We patch up the old chair by repairing the crack in the seat.
verbessern
Wir verbessern den alten Stuhl, indem wir ihn stabiler und bequemer machen.
We improve the old chair by making it sturdier and more comfortable.
In real life
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