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How to Say ‘Only when it's deserved.’ in French

Seulement quand c'est mérité.

suh-uhl-MAHN kahn suh ehST meh-RI-teh

[suh-uhl-MAHN kahn suh ehST meh-RI-teh]

💬 Usage Tip: [C'] in [c'est] only appears joined to the next word and can't stand alone. Here [c'est mérité] means "it's deserved," a very common [c'est + adjective/past form] pattern.

Phrase Breakdown

Seulement

[suh-uhl-MAHN]

Only

No one or nothing else.

Example

Je suis content seulement quand c'est mérité.

I am happy only when it's deserved.

quand

[kahn]

when

At what time or at which time.

Example

Je te vois toujours quand je suis en ville.

I always see you when I'm in town.

C'est

suh ehST

Words in this phrase

c'

[suh]

it

Refers to the item mentioned.

Example

C'est un cadeau précieux.

It's a precious gift.

est

[ehST]

is

Third person singular form of 'to be'.

Example

C'est un honneur d'être ici.

It is an honor to be here.

mérité

[meh-RI-teh]

deserved

Worthy of earned respect or reward.

Example

Cette récompense est méritée.

This reward is deserved.

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