desto
Translation
the (more/less etc.), all the more
Examples
Je früher, desto besser.
The sooner, the better.
Je mehr man hat, desto mehr will man.
The more one has, the more one wants.
Grammar Patterns
je + comparative ..., desto + comparative ... the ... the ... Je mehr du practice, desto better you get.
Similar Words
Synonyms: umso
Etymology
From Old High German 'des diu', meaning 'by that'. It's connected to the demonstrative pronoun 'das'.
Memory Tips
Memorize the set phrase 'Je..., desto...'. Imagine a balance scale: 'je' adds weight to one side, and 'desto' shows the corresponding result on the other.