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merecer

to deserve

verb meh-reh-SEHR Less Common

Also means

to be worth

Usage Note

Merecer is an irregular -cer verb: first-person singular present is merezco. The construction merecer la pena (to be worth it, literally 'to deserve the trouble') is extremely common and idiomatic — learners should learn this phrase as a unit. It can also express worthiness: merece el premio (he deserves the prize).

Examples

"Esto merece la pena."

Natural Translation

This is worth it.

Literal Translation

This deserves the trouble.

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