merecer
Lemma Details
Translation: to deserve; to merit; to be worthy of; to earn
Part of Speech: verb
Etymology: Merecer comes from Latin 'merere' or 'merēscere' meaning 'to earn, deserve, or merit'. It shares roots with English words like 'merit', 'meritorious', and 'emeritus'. The Latin root 'mer-' relates to receiving one's share or portion based on what one has earned or deserved.
Commonality: 80%
Guessability: 70%
Register: neutral
Mnemonics
- Think 'merit-cer' to connect it with the English word 'merit'
- Remember that when you 'merecer' something, you have the 'merits' to receive it
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
In Spanish culture, the concept of 'merecer' is often tied to notions of justice, fairness, and receiving what one has earned through effort or character. It appears frequently in expressions about rewards and punishments.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'merecer' means 'to deserve', 'parecer' means 'to seem' or 'to appear'. They have similar conjugation patterns as both are -er verbs, but their meanings are completely different.
This word:
Tú mereces un descanso.
You deserve a break.
Confused word:
Tú pareces cansado.
You seem tired.
Notes: Both verbs are irregular in similar ways, with first-person singular present forms 'merezco' and 'parezco'.
Mnemonic: Merecer has 'merit' in it (deserving), while parecer has 'appear' in it (seeming).
Explanation: While 'merecer' means 'to deserve', 'ofrecer' means 'to offer'. Both are -er verbs with similar conjugation patterns, but they express different concepts.
Confused word:
Él ofrece una explicación.
He offers an explanation.
Notes: Both verbs follow similar irregular conjugation patterns in the present tense.
Mnemonic: Merecer is about receiving what you've earned, while ofrecer is about giving something to someone else.