merecido
/meh-reh-SEE-doh/
deserved
The trophy is a deserved reward for the child's hard work.
merecido(adjective)
deserved
?when someone earns something through their actions
well-earned
?often used for positive things like rest or prizes
,rightful
?something that is fair and just
📝 In Action
Después de trabajar tanto, tienes un merecido descanso.
A2After working so much, you have a well-earned rest.
Fue un premio muy merecido.
B1It was a very well-deserved prize.
💡 Grammar Points
Matching the Noun
This word changes its ending to 'merecida' if the thing you are describing is feminine (like 'una victoria merecida').
❌ Common Pitfalls
Placement
Mistake: "Un descanso muy merecer."
Correction: Un descanso muy merecido.
⭐ Usage Tips
Adding Emphasis
You can add 'bien' (well) before it—'bien merecido'—to emphasize that something was definitely earned.
Getting stuck is the cat's just deserts for trying to steal extra treats.
merecido(noun)
just deserts
?getting what one deserves, usually as a punishment
punishment
?a fair consequence for a bad action
📝 In Action
El villano al final recibió su merecido.
B2The villain finally got what he deserved.
Se llevó su merecido por mentir.
B2He got his just deserts for lying.
💡 Grammar Points
Possessive Use
When used as a noun, it almost always follows a word like 'su' (his/her) or 'tu' (your) to show who is getting the consequence.
⭐ Usage Tips
Usually Negative
While 'merecido' as a description can be good (a prize), as a noun it almost always refers to a punishment or a negative consequence.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: merecido
Question 1 of 2
If someone wins a race after training for years, you would say it was a...
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'merecido' always mean something bad?
No! As an adjective, it's often positive (like 'a well-earned vacation'). It's only as a noun ('su merecido') that it usually implies a negative consequence or punishment.
What is the feminine form of 'merecido'?
The feminine form is 'merecida'. You use it when describing feminine nouns, such as 'una recompensa merecida' (a deserved reward).