merezco
“merezco” means “I deserve” in Spanish (to be worthy of).
I deserve
Also: I merit
📝 In Action
Yo merezco un descanso después de este largo día.
A2I deserve a break after this long day.
No sé si merezco tanta felicidad.
B1I don't know if I deserve so much happiness.
Merezco una explicación por lo que pasó.
B1I deserve an explanation for what happened.
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: merezco
Question 1 of 2
Which Spanish verb follows the same irregular pattern as 'merezco'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The verb *merecer* comes from the Latin verb *merēre*, which meant 'to earn' or 'to deserve.' The irregular pattern (the 'zco' ending) developed in Spanish over time to make the pronunciation flow better.
First recorded: Medieval Spanish (around the 13th century)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 'merezco' irregular?
It’s irregular only in the 'yo' form (I) of the present tense. It changes the 'c' to 'zco' to maintain a specific sound that Spanish speakers found easier to pronounce when the word evolved from Latin. This pattern is shared by many common verbs like *conocer* (to know) and *agradecer* (to thank).
What is the base verb for 'merezco'?
The base verb (the infinitive) is *merecer*, which means 'to deserve'.