to improve
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to improve
To bring something into a better state; to increase the quality, performance, or value of something.
Ich möchte meine Sprachkenntnisse durch einen Kurs im Ausland verbessern.
I would like to improve my language skills through a course abroad.
The verb 'verbessern' (to improve) is easy to understand if you break it down: the prefix 'ver-' causes a change, and 'besser' (better) is the comparative form of 'gut' (good). Literally, it means 'to make better'.
Durch regelmäßiges Training konnte er seine Zeit deutlich verbessern.
Through regular training, he was able to improve his time significantly.
The difference between 'verbessern' and 'sich verbessern' is important. 'Etwas verbessern' (to improve something) is transitive and needs an accusative object (you make something else better). 'Sich verbessern' (to improve) is reflexive and means that the subject itself gets better.
Er verbessert seine Programmierkenntnisse.
He is improving his programming skills.
Common things that one can improve are skills ('sein Deutsch verbessern' — to improve one's German), conditions ('die Situation verbessern' — to improve the situation), performance or grades ('die Noten verbessern' — to improve one's grades), or characteristics ('die Qualität verbessern' — to improve the quality).
Die Firma will die Arbeitsbedingungen für ihre Mitarbeiter verbessern.
The company wants to improve the working conditions for its employees.
When it is about errors, texts, or statements, 'verbessern' does not mean 'to make better', but 'to correct'. You can also directly correct a person if they say something wrong.
Entschuldigung, wenn ich Sie verbessere, aber das Wort wird anders ausgesprochen.
Excuse me for correcting you, but the word is pronounced differently.
to increase
'erhöhen' and 'verbessern' can both describe a positive change. The difference lies in the focus: 'erhöhen' means that an amount, a value, or a degree becomes larger. 'verbessern' means that something gets better or gains higher quality. Learners may confuse the words because more is sometimes also better. But a price can increase without that being good. And a text can improve even if no number becomes larger.
Adam verbessert seine Präsentation mit klareren Beispielen.
Adam improves his presentation with clearer examples.
Die Firma erhöht im nächsten Monat die Preise.
The company is increasing prices next month.