merecer
verbCEFR B2
What does “merecer” mean in English?
to deserve, to merit
to deserve, to merit (merecer + noun / inf — be worthy of attention, reward, or consideration)
Example sentences
El proyecto merece un análisis más detenido antes de que el comité emita su valoración definitiva.
The project deserves a more careful analysis before the committee issues its final assessment.
Sus resultados merecen ser destacados, ya que superan considerablemente las expectativas iniciales.
Her results deserve to be highlighted, as they considerably exceed initial expectations.
Hay temas que merecen más atención de la que suelen recibir en el debate público.
There are topics that deserve more attention than they usually receive in public debate.
How to use it
Merecer means 'to deserve' or 'to merit'. Takes a direct object (merecer algo) or an infinitive (merecer ser analizado). The idiom merecer la pena (be worth it) is a separate but related high-frequency expression. At B2 merecer un análisis más detenido / una reflexión / atención are standard academic discourse moves.
Common mistake
No preposition after merecer: merecer algo (not *merecer de algo). Merecer la pena is a fixed idiom (be worth it) and not the same as simply 'deserve'. Merecer vs. ser digno de: the former is more colloquial and direct; the latter is more elevated. Merecer ser + past participle is a productive B2 pattern.