How to say to be improved?

Question

So if I wanted to say to be improved, should I use verbessert werden or sich verbessern?

z.B.

Es kann verbessert werden.

Oder...

Es kann sich verbessern.

Depends. What is the full English sentence?
– Em1
Commented Oct 11, 2016 at 7:29 — Em1, Commented Oct 11, 2016 at 7:29

mic · Accepted Answer · 2016-10-10 15:21:24Z

6

"Es kann sich verbessern"

implies that "it" can improve itself.
"It" can be the weather, for instance.

"Es kann verbessert werden"

means that someone else can improve "it".
"It" can be the weather control machine, for instance :)

answered Oct 10, 2016 at 15:21

mic

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tofro · Accepted Answer · 2016-10-10 15:31:46Z

3

to be improved is passive (vs. "to improve") and probably should be translated with passive.

Es kann verbessert werden

answered Oct 10, 2016 at 15:31

tofro

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guidot · Accepted Answer · 2016-10-10 19:36:43Z

0

There is a single German word addressing all genders and things:

Verbesserungswürdig

answered Oct 10, 2016 at 19:36

guidot♦

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1

It doesn't really mean that it can be improved though...
– Jacob Lee-Hart
Commented Oct 10, 2016 at 19:54
"Wir arbeiten kontinuierlich an der Steigerung unseres Optimierungspotentials"
– tofro
Commented Oct 10, 2016 at 21:57
Foobar has to be improved before shipping.
– user unknown
Commented Oct 11, 2016 at 13:16
Quite mysterious comments here: does anybody care to elaborate (possibly stating reason for downvote)? I guess userunknown wants to point out, that there are contexts, where my proposal does not work, which is hardly a surprise.
– guidot ♦
Commented Oct 11, 2016 at 13:43
'It could still be improved, but it is a very good effort.'
– Jacob Lee-Hart
Commented Oct 12, 2016 at 15:16

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3 Answers 3