Better off

[irmamar]

You are better off than before.

Why 'off' here?

Thanks.

[Perikles]

'Better off' means you are somehow in a better position, usually financially.

John is better than Fred (at running) = J is superior to F (at running)
John is better off than Fred = he has more money

[poli]

You are making me think

Better significa mejor.
Better off tambien significa más feliz.

[Perikles]

(In BrE) better off can mean at some kind of advantage. Say you want to buy a bicycle for a child, and you try different sizes. You could say

This wheel is exactly the right size for the child at the moment, but he would be better off with one size larger because he is growing so quickly.

Or:

If you want to see if you like opera, you could see Wagner playing in the opera house tonight, but as a beginner, you would be better off listening to some Mozart to start with.

Or:

Today I left the house with a ten-euro note in my pocket. On the street, I found a 5-euro note. I was therefore 50% better off. I put it in another pocket which had a hole in it, and I lost it. At that point, I was 33% worse off. When I got home, I just had my 10-euro note, but on balance, I was still 17% better off.

Originally Posted by poli

Better off tambien significa más feliz.

I have never understood it as meaning that.

[poli]

Originally Posted by Perikles

I have never understood it as meaning that.

All your examples are used in states too.

Better off as happier:
You'd be better off living in the city instead of commuting 2 hours a day.

You'd be better off without her.

Your Mozart/Wagner example. If you don't know much about classical music you may be happier(better off) listening to Mozart than Mahler.

Where finance is concerned Your reference to John being better off than
Fred will work in the USA, but you may hear John is more well off than Fred rather than better off.

I think that when it does't have to do with finances, better off means
happier, more pleased, more contented

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by poli

Fred will work in the USA, but you may hear John is more well off than Fred rather than better off.

I think that when it does't have to do with finances, better off means
happier, more pleased, more contented

I hear what you say, but I've never really made that connection. If you are giving advice on a journey and say "You could drive there on the motorway, but you would be better off taking the back road over the mountain" this has nothing much to do with happiness.

And "more well off" ?? That sounds terrible. The comparative of well is better

[chileno]

As I have always understood, "better off" is to be at a more advantageous position.

[poli]

Originally Posted by chileno

As I have always understood, "better off" is to be at a more advantageous position.

Yes, but you should know that it also means to be more contented.

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by poli

Yes, but you should know that it also means to be more contented.

Yes - e.g. the problem was worrying me, but I feel better off now that the problem has been solved.

[chileno]

Well, when one is in a more advantageous situation or is ahead of the game, it would be crazy not to be happy.

[CrOtALiTo]

Guys I have read all the post.
But I've my own doubts about it.

I can use the word better in the following phrases.

I'm better off than my brother today.
She's better off than the president.

I thank you the advice.

[chileno]

Originally Posted by CrOtALiTo

Guys I have read all the post.
But I've my own doubts about it.

I can use the sentence word better off in the following phrases.

I'm better off than my brother today.
She's better off than the president.

I thank you the advices.

Correcciones.

[CrOtALiTo]

Thank you for the advice.

[chileno]

Originally Posted by CrOtALiTo

Thank you for the advices.

You're welcome.

[CrOtALiTo]

Uhh

Thank you again.

[irmamar]

Thanks for your help.