bien mérité
The English phrase "well deserved" is translated into French as bien mérité.
The expression Bien mérité(e) is a way to convey that something, whether it is a reward or a punishment, is well deserved due to someone's actions.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adverb bien (well) and the past participle mérité (deserved).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Use bien mérité for masculine singular nouns, bien méritée for feminine singular nouns, bien mérités for masculine plural nouns and bien méritées for feminine plural nouns.
Did you know?
- To add extreme emphasis to how deserved something is, French speakers often swap bien for amplement, resulting in the phrase amplement mérité.
- The adverb bien in this phrase shares its roots with the English word 'benefit', both tracing back to the Latin 'bene' meaning 'well'.
- While bien mérité works for both rewards and punishments, the French often add the word juste when specifically emphasizing the fairness of a penalty.
Examples in context
- Après avoir été innocenté, le concombre tueur prit une retraite bien méritée en Espagne.After being proven innocent, the killer cucumber went into a well deserved retirement in Spain.This sentence shows the use of bien mérité in the context of a retirement.Tatoeba #925442 by sacredceltic, translation #931750 by sacredceltic
- Sa victoire est bien méritéeHis victory is well deserved
- Son prix est hautement méritéHer award is highly deserved
- Bravo pour ta promotion ! Bien mérité tout ça !Congratulations on your promotion! Well deserved!
- Ta reconnaissance est vraiment méritéeYour recognition is truly well deserved
- Son succès est hautement mérité car elle a travaillé sans relâche pour cela.Her success is highly deserved as she has worked tirelessly for it.
- C'est un succès bien mérité pour elle.It is a well deserved success for her.
- Son licenciement était bien mérité.His dismissal was well deserved.
Example conversation
Emma and Nathan are discussing Emma's recent promotion.
- EmmaJe viens enfin d'obtenir la promotion !I finally got the promotion!
- NathanFélicitations, c'est vraiment bien mérité.Congratulations, it is truly well deserved.
- EmmaMerci beaucoup, Nathan.Thank you very much, Nathan.
- NathanTu as beaucoup travaillé pour cela.You worked very hard for it.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bien, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
