mereces
“mereces” means “you deserve” in Spanish (second person singular present tense).
you deserve
Also: you merit
📝 In Action
¡Mereces todo lo bueno que te pase!
B1You deserve all the good things that happen to you!
¿De verdad crees que mereces ese ascenso?
B2Do you really believe you deserve that promotion?
Si cumples con tu trabajo, mereces un aumento de sueldo.
B1If you fulfill your job duties, you deserve a salary increase.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: mereces
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses the base verb 'merecer' for the 'I' form?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin verb *merēre*, meaning 'to earn,' 'to deserve,' or 'to acquire.' The Spanish word kept the core meaning of earning something based on one's actions or qualities.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'merecer' used for both good and bad consequences?
Yes. While it is often used positively (e.g., 'mereces un premio'), it can also be used negatively (e.g., 'mereces un castigo' - you deserve a punishment). It simply means that the outcome is appropriate for the action.
How is 'merecer' different from 'ganar' (to earn)?
'Ganar' means to acquire something through labor or effort (like money or a competition). 'Merecer' refers to the *worthiness* or *justification* for receiving something, regardless of whether you officially earned it or not.