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"Merit" is a noun which is often translated as "el mérito", and "deserve" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "merecer". Learn more about the difference between "merit" and "deserve" below.
merit(
meh
-
riht
)A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
1. (worth)
a. el mérito (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Instead of working for his father's company, Eloy preferred to succeed by his own merit.En vez de trabajar para la empresa de su padre, Eloy prefirió buscar el éxito por su propio mérito.
2. (quality)
a. la ventaja (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Though being self-employed has its challenges, it also has its merits.Aunque trabajar por tu propia cuenta tiene sus desafíos, también tiene sus ventajas.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. merecer
The detective thought the strange coincidence merited further investigation.El detective pensó que la extraña coincidencia merecía más investigación.
b. ser digno de
Julie's inappropriate behavior merits immediate disciplinary action.El comportamiento inapropiado de Julie es digno de acción disciplinaria inmediata.
c. ameritar (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
As mean as it was, I don't think what Barbara said merited that extreme a response.Por ofensivo que fuera, no creo que lo que dijo Bárbara ameritara una respuesta tan extrema.
deserve(
dih
-
zuhrv
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to merit)
c. ameritar (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
This issue deserves further consideration.Este asunto amerita consideración adicional.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
2. (to merit)
