Spanish word

mérito

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈmeɾito/

Meaning

  • masculine nounmerit

Example

Un mérito de este coche es su bajo consumo.

One of this car's merits is its low fuel consumption.

Illustration for mérito (merit)

More examples

Acumular méritos ayuda a conseguir el ascenso.

Accumulating merits helps get a promotion.

Core concept

An achievement that earns recognition or reward.

Common phrases

  • acumular méritos

    accumulate merits

  • tener méritos

    have merits

  • mérito académico

    academic merit

Similar words

virtud: Ethical excellence or positive moral quality in a person.
talento: Innate or cultivated ability to perform exceptionally in a domain.
habilidad: Learned technique or practical ability applied when doing a task.
logro: A completed success or milestone reached through effort.

Definition in Spanish

Cualidad positiva o logro que justifica reconocimiento o recompensa.

Word origin

From Latin meritum 'deserved thing', originally meaning a reward or what is deserved and later applied to a worthy quality or achievement.

Usage tips

  • Spanish often uses tener mérito and typically adds the specific reason (por + noun or infinitive) to sound natural.

Other meanings

  • achievementnoun
  • valuenoun

Opposites

  • deméritodemeritnoun
  • defectodefectnoun

Related words

  • meritoriomeritoriousadjective
  • meritardeserveverb

Word lists with this word