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"Better" is a form of "better", an adjective which is often translated as "mejor". "Rather" is an adverb which is often translated as "preferir". Learn more about the difference between "rather" and "better" below.
rather(
rah
-
thuhr
)An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
2. (quite)
a. bastante
Under the guidance of Pope Francis, the church is becoming rather socially oriented.Bajo la dirección del Papa Francisco, la iglesia se está orientando bastante hacia lo social.
3. (somewhat)
a. mejor dicho
He has been in business, or rather at his fruit stand, for 15 years now.Ha tenido un negocio, o mejor dicho un puesto de frutas, ahora por 15 años.
better(
beh
-
der
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. mejor
I think the blue cushion is better for your sofa than the yellow.Creo que el almohadón azul es mejor para tu sofá que el amarillo.
2. (recovered)
a. mejor
It's good to have you back. How are you feeling? - I'm much better now, thanks.Me alegro de verte de vuelta. ¿Cómo te sientes? - Estoy mucho mejor ahora, gracias.
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
a. mejor
Everybody in the band can sing better than me.Todos en la banda pueden cantar mejor que yo.
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
a. el mejor (M), la mejor (F)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
She is the better of the two sisters at dancing.Es la mejor de las dos hermanas en baile.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
5. (to improve)
betters
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
6. (superiors)
a. los superiores (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
I was shocked to see him talk to his betters in that way.Me sorprendió verlo hablar así a sus superiores.