aus|bessern
Translation
to repair, to mend, to patch up, to touch up
Examples
Ich muss das Loch in der Hose ausbessern.
I have to mend the hole in my pants.
Der Maler bessert die Kratzer an der Wand aus.
The painter is touching up the scratches on the wall.
Grammar Patterns
to repair/mend ((sth.)) I'm repairing my old bicycle.
Similar Words
Synonyms: to repair, to patch; Antonyms: to damage, to ruin
Etymology
Comes from 'aus-' (a prefix often indicating completion or fixing) plus 'bessern' (to make better).
Memory Tips
To 'make better' a defect. Remember it's a separable verb, so 'aus' goes to the end: 'Er bessert den Reifen aus'.