merece

Merece is a verb form that appears in both Spanish and Portuguese, representing the third-person singular present indicative of the verb meaning to deserve or be worthy of. It expresses that someone or something earns a reward, recognition, or appropriate treatment.

In Spanish, merecer is transitive, and merece is used with a direct object to indicate that someone deserves something. Examples include: “Él merece un descanso” (He deserves a rest), “Ella merece reconocimiento” (She deserves recognition), and “Usted merece ser escuchado” (You deserve to be heard). The expression “merece la pena” is common and means “it is worth it,” as in “Este libro merece la pena leer” (This book is worth reading). The form also appears in contexts that stress merit, justice, or deserving outcomes.

In Portuguese, merece serves a parallel role as the present indicative for ele/ela/você. Examples: “Ela merece reconhecimento” (She deserves recognition) and “Isso merece uma explicação” (That deserves an explanation). Like Spanish, it can be used with various objects and with the formal or informal subject depending on the pronoun used.

Etymology traces merece to Latin merēre, meaning to earn or to deserve, through the evolution of the Romance languages. Related nouns include mérito and merecimento in Spanish and Portuguese, used to denote merit or the act of deserving.

Notes: merecer is the base verb; while merece is the specific conjugated form, it may appear in neutral or formal registers in both languages. The concept centers on worthiness and entitlement to reward, favor, or consideration.