A colorful illustration showing three cheerful, simple storybook characters standing together as a large, gleaming golden trophy is presented to them, symbolizing a shared reward or merit.

merecen

meh-REH-sen

VerbB1irregular (z/c change in 'yo' form and subjunctive) er

they deserve?referring to a group of people or things,you all deserve?formal address to a group (ustedes)

Also:they merit?formal or written context

Quick Reference

infinitivemerecer

gerundmereciendo

past Participlemerecido

📝 In Action

Ellos merecen un descanso después de tanto trabajo.

They deserve a break after so much work.

Ustedes merecen todos los honores por su valentía.

You all deserve all the honors for your bravery.

Los estudiantes que se esforzaron merecen las mejores notas.

The students who put in the effort deserve the best grades.

Word Connections

Synonyms

ganar (to earn)
ser digno de (to be worthy of)

Antonyms

carecer de (to lack)

Common Collocations

merecen respeto – they deserve respect
merecen atención – they deserve attention

💡 Grammar Points

The 'zc' Irregularity

The base verb 'merecer' is slightly irregular. When the 'c' would be followed by an 'o' or 'a' (like in the 'yo' form or the special subjunctive forms), it changes to 'zc' (merezco, merezca). This keeps the 'th' or 's' sound consistent.

Meaning of 'merecen'

'Merecen' is the 'they' or 'you all' form (plural) in the present tense. It describes something they are currently worthy of or entitled to.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Forgetting the 'z'

Mistake: "Ellos merecen que les des algo."

Correction: This is actually correct! The mistake is usually in the 'yo' form (saying 'mereco' instead of 'merezco'). The 'ellos' form 'merecen' is regular based on the stem.

⭐ Usage Tips

Using 'Merecer' with Nouns

You can use 'merecer' directly before a noun (e.g., 'merecen un premio' - they deserve a prize) or before the word 'que' to introduce an action ('merecen que los escuchen' - they deserve for people to listen to them).

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedmerece

yomerezco

túmereces

ellos/ellas/ustedesmerecen

nosotrosmerecemos

vosotrosmerecéis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedmerecía

yomerecía

túmerecías

ellos/ellas/ustedesmerecían

nosotrosmerecíamos

vosotrosmerecíais

preterite

él/ella/ustedmereció

yomerecí

túmereciste

ellos/ellas/ustedesmerecieron

nosotrosmerecimos

vosotrosmerecisteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedmerezca

yomerezca

túmerezcas

ellos/ellas/ustedesmerezcan

nosotrosmerezcamos

vosotrosmerezcáis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedmereciera

yomereciera

túmerecieras

ellos/ellas/ustedesmerecieran

nosotrosmereciéramos

vosotrosmerecierais

View All Tenses & Moods →

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: merecen

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses the base verb 'merecer' in the 'yo' (I) form?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

merecer(to deserve (infinitive)) - verb

el merecimiento(the deserving/merit) - noun

merecido(deserved (adjective/past participle)) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'merecen' mean they deserve something good or something bad?

'Merecen' is neutral. It simply means they are worthy of whatever follows, which could be positive ('merecen un premio' - they deserve a prize) or negative ('merecen un castigo' - they deserve a punishment).

Is 'merecen' used for 'they' or for 'you all'?

It is used for both! It is the third-person plural conjugation, which covers 'ellos' (they, masculine/mixed group), 'ellas' (they, feminine group), and 'ustedes' (you all, formal or common in Latin America).