The Present Tense of merecer is used to express what someone or something deserves or merits in the present moment. For example, Tú mereces un premio por tu esfuerzo. (You deserve a prize for your effort.)

Merecer is a spelling-changing verb that follows the -cer to -zca conjugation pattern in the present tense. The c changes to zc before the vowel endings.

Conjugations

Conjugations of Merecer (to deserve) in the Present Tense tense (Latin American Spanish):

Merecer generally means to deserve or to be worthy of something, but has several different meanings in the Present Tense, some of which might surprise you.

To deserve: This is the most common meaning, indicating that someone is worthy of receiving something due to their actions or qualities. For example, Ella merece un premio por su arduo trabajo. (She deserves a prize for her hard work.)

To be worthy of: Similar to the previous meaning, but with a focus on the person or thing being deserving of something. For example, Este restaurante merece su buena reputación. (This restaurant is worthy of its good reputation.)

To earn: In some contexts, merecer can mean to earn something through one’s efforts or actions. For example, Él merece un buen salario por su dedicación. (He earns a good salary for his dedication.)

To be worth (colloquial): In informal speech, merecer can be used to express that something is worth doing or experiencing. For example, Esta película merece la pena. (This movie is worth watching.)

To deserve (negative): Merecer can also be used to express that someone deserves punishment or negative consequences for their actions. For example, Él merece un castigo por mentir. (He deserves punishment for lying.)

Examples

Examples of Merecer in the Present Tense

Ustedes merecen un aumento de sueldo por su arduo trabajo. (You deserve a raise for your hard work.)

Ella merece ganar el premio por su dedicación. (She deserves to win the award for her dedication.)

Nosotros merecemos unas vacaciones después de tanto esfuerzo. (We deserve a vacation after so much effort.)

Tú mereces ser feliz, no te menosprecies. (You deserve to be happy, don’t undervalue yourself.)

Ellos merecen una segunda oportunidad para demostrarse. (They deserve a second chance to prove themselves.)

Yo merezco respeto por mi arduo trabajo. (I deserve respect for my hard work.)

¿Acaso no merecemos un poco de diversión de vez en cuando? (Don’t we deserve to have some fun once in a while?)

Ustedes merecen celebrar sus logros con una fiesta. (You deserve to celebrate your achievements with a party.)

Él merece un reconocimiento por su servicio comunitario. (He deserves recognition for his community service.)

Nosotros merecemos un trato justo y equitativo. (We deserve fair and equal treatment.)

Tú mereces una vida plena y satisfactoria. (You deserve a full and satisfying life.)

Ellas merecen una oportunidad para demostrar sus habilidades. (They deserve an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities.)

Yo merezco un descanso después de tanto trabajo. (I deserve a break after so much work.)

¿No merecemos un poco de paz y tranquilidad? (Don’t we deserve some peace and quiet?)

Ustedes merecen disfrutar de los frutos de su labor. (You deserve to enjoy the fruits of your labor.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Merecer (to deserve) in the Present Tense tense (Latin American Spanish) with English Translations:

This post covers Latin American Spanish. For Castilian Spanish, click here

Synonyms

The Present tense is also known as the Simple Present, Present Simple, Present Tense, or Present Indicative in English, and as Presente de Indicativo, Presente Simple, Tiempo Presente, or Indicativo Presente in Spanish.