Megérdemel

Megérdemel is a Hungarian verb meaning “to deserve” or “to merit,” indicating that someone is worthy of a reward, recognition, or outcome based on their actions or qualities. It is used with a direct object to specify what is deserved, for example megérdemel valamit (deserves something) or megérdemli az elismerést (deserves the recognition).

The verb is formed from the noun érdem (merit, worth) with the suffix -el and the prefix meg-, which in Hungarian often emphasizes realization or completion of the action. The infinitive is megérdemelni. In present tense, the forms include megérdemel (3rd person singular), megérdemelsz (2nd person singular), and megérdemelnek (3rd person plural); the past tense is megérdemelt, with inflected forms such as megérdemelte (he/she deserved).

Usage notes and examples:

- Megérdemel egy díjat. (He deserves a prize.)

- Nem érdemli meg ezt a díjat. (He does not deserve this prize.)

- Megérdemelték az elismerést. (They deserved the recognition.)

Megérdemel is widely used in everyday speech, media, and literature, particularly in praising achievements or assessing fairness and merit. Related concepts include érdekelt? No, more closely related are értem, érdek? The key contrasts are with méltó (worthy, befitting) or az elismerés (recognition). The term retains a clear evaluative sense: it asserts that merit has been fulfilled and a corresponding reward or outcome is warranted.