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merecer

meh-reh-SEHR/meɾeˈθer/

“merecer” means “to deserve” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to deserve

Also: to merit
VerbA2irregular er
General
A smiling student receiving a gold medal for their hard work.
gerundmereciendo
infinitivemerecer
past Participlemerecido

📝 In Action

Te mereces un descanso después de tanto trabajo.

A2

You deserve a rest after so much work.

Ellos no merecen ser tratados así.

B1

They don't deserve to be treated like that.

Su dedicación merece el mayor de los respetos.

C1

Her dedication merits the greatest respect.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • hacerse acreedor (to earn/to become entitled to)
  • valer (to be worth)

Antonyms

  • desmerecer (to be unworthy of)

Common Collocations

  • merecer la pena – to be worth the trouble
  • bien merecido – well-deserved
  • merecer un castigo – to deserve a punishment

Idioms & Expressions

  • quien bien ama, bien merece – those who give love deserve to be loved back

to be worth

VerbB1irregular er
A beautiful view at the top of a mountain after a long hike.
gerundmereciendo
infinitivemerecer
past Participlemerecido

📝 In Action

Ese viaje merece la pena.

B1

That trip is worth the trouble.

El esfuerzo merece la recompensa.

B2

The effort is worth the reward.

No merece el tiempo que le estás dedicando.

C1

It's not worth the time you are giving it.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • merecer el esfuerzo – to be worth the effort

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

present

yomerezca
nosotrosmerezcamos
vosotrosmerezcáis
él/ella/ustedmerezca
ellos/ellas/ustedesmerezcan
túmerezcas

imperfect

yomereciera
nosotrosmereciéramos
vosotrosmerecierais
él/ella/ustedmereciera
ellos/ellas/ustedesmerecieran
túmerecieras

indicative

present

yomerezco
nosotrosmerecemos
vosotrosmerecéis
él/ella/ustedmerece
ellos/ellas/ustedesmerecen
túmereces

preterite

yomerecí
nosotrosmerecimos
vosotrosmerecisteis
él/ella/ustedmereció
ellos/ellas/ustedesmerecieron
túmereciste

imperfect

yomerecía
nosotrosmerecíamos
vosotrosmerecíais
él/ella/ustedmerecía
ellos/ellas/ustedesmerecían
túmerecías
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "merecer" in Spanish:

to deserve→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: merecer

Question 1 of 3

How do you say 'I deserve' in Spanish?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
mérito(merit/credit) — Noun
merecidamente(deservedly) — Adverb
meritorio(praiseworthy) — Adjective
desmerecer(to fall short/to lose value) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From Latin 'merēre', meaning to earn, to get, or to acquire as a reward for service.

First recorded: 12th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: meritFrench: mériter

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'merecer' regular or irregular?

It is mostly regular, but it has a 'spelling change' in the 'yo' form (merezco) and in the special forms used for commands and wishes (subjunctive).

Can I use 'merecer' for something bad?

Yes! Just like in English, you can deserve a prize or deserve a punishment.

What is the difference between 'merecer' and 'merecerse'?

They mean the same thing, but adding the 'se' (reflexive form) often makes the statement feel more personal or emotional.