noun
improvement, recovery
B1
Feminine noun meaning 'improvement' or 'recovery', often used for health. Common fixed phrase: 'Gute Besserung!' ('Get well soon'). Plural is 'Besserungen'. Declension follows regular feminine patterns; no special preposition. Appears in both formal and informal registers.
Examples
Die Ärzte hofften auf Besserung, obwohl der Patient weiterhin schwach war.
The doctors hoped for improvement, although the patient remained weak.
Die Besserung des Wetters war am Nachmittag deutlich zu merken.
The improvement in the weather became clear in the afternoon.
Gute Besserung! Ich hoffe, du bist bald wieder gesund.
Get well soon! I hope you'll be healthy again soon.
Details
Mnemonics
Imagine a thermometer needle moving from bad to good — that change is 'Besserung'.
die Besserung — link 'die' (female) to a healing blanket wrapped around someone
Notes
'Besserung' can refer to health recovery (often in the phrase 'Gute Besserung!') or a general improvement. Plural 'Besserungen' is possible but less common.