te mereces más
/te meɾeθes mas/from spelling rules
The English phrase "you deserve more" is expressed in Spanish as te mereces más.
A phrase used to tell someone that they should have better treatment or rewards than what they currently receive.
Which one should you use?
While te mereces más is the standard complete form, you may encounter mereces más in many Spanish dialects where the reflexive pronoun te is omitted in casual speech. For formal address or when speaking about a third person, the phrase changes to se merece más.
How does it change in a sentence?
To address someone formally or to speak about a third person, use se merece más. In casual speech, the reflexive pronoun te can be omitted, resulting in mereces más.
How do you pronounce it?
/te meɾeθes mas/
Did you know?
- While te mereces más is positive, changing the phrase to te mereces lo que te pasa tells someone they deserve the bad thing that is happening to them.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, saying te mereces más can be used ironically to mock someone who is acting entitled or overly dramatic about their situation.
- The word más shares an ancient root with the English word 'master', as both stem from the Latin concept of being 'greater' or 'more'.
Examples in context
- Usted merece un mejor salario por su dedicación y compromiso.You deserve a better salary for your dedication and commitment.
- Te mereces más que este salario.You deserve more than this salary.
- Eres una gran persona y te mereces más.You are a great person and you deserve more.
- No aceptes eso, te mereces más respeto.Don't accept that, you deserve more respect.
Example conversation
Daniel is comforting Elena after she complains about her difficult job.
- DanielTu jefe no valora tu esfuerzo.Your boss doesn't value your effort.
- ElenaEs verdad, me siento muy cansada.It's true, I feel very tired.
- DanielNo te conformes, te mereces más.Don't settle, you deserve more.
- ElenaGracias por tus palabras, Daniel.Thanks for your words, Daniel.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries más, te, CC BY-SA 4.0.
