The English language is rich with words that describe values, character, and behavior. One such word is ‘meritorious.’ This term often appears in educational, professional, and moral discussions, especially when recognizing someone for their positive qualities or accomplishments. For speakers of Kannada or learners of English in Karnataka, understanding the meaning of ‘meritorious’ and how it translates into Kannada can deepen comprehension and vocabulary. In this topic, we’ll explore what meritorious means, how it is used in context, and what the equivalent meaning is in the Kannada language.
Definition of Meritorious
Meritorious is an adjective used to describe something or someone deserving of merit or praise. It generally refers to actions, achievements, or behavior that are commendable or worthy of recognition. In formal contexts, especially in academic and governmental settings, it is commonly used to highlight excellence and virtue.
English Dictionary Meaning
According to standard English dictionaries, the word meritorious means:
- Deserving reward or praise
- Worthy of honor due to high quality or excellence
- Commendable or admirable
It is often used in expressions like meritorious service, meritorious performance, or meritorious conduct.
Meritorious Meaning in Kannada
In Kannada, the meaning of meritorious can be translated in several ways depending on context. Some common Kannada translations include:
- ಮಾಹಾತà³à²®à³à² ಠà³à²¤ (MahÄtmyayuta) full of excellence or greatness
- ಠà³à² à³à² (YÅgya) deserving or worthy
- ಪà³à²°à²¶à²à²¸à²¨à³à² (PraÅansanÄ«ya) praiseworthy
- ಠà³à²£à²¾à²¤à³à²®à² (Guá¹Ätmaka) of high quality or virtuous
Each translation captures a slightly different nuance of the word, and the appropriate choice depends on whether you’re referring to moral actions, academic performance, or public service.
Usage of Meritorious in Sentences
To better understand how meritorious functions in context, here are some sentence examples with their approximate Kannada translations:
- She received an award for her meritorious service to the community.
Kannada: à²à²à³ ಸಮà³à²¦à²¾à² à²à³à²à³ ನà³à²¡à²¿à²¦ ಮಾಹಾತà³à²®à³à² ಠà³à²¤ ಸà³à²µà³à² ೠಪà³à²°à²¶à²¸à³à²¤à²¿ ಪಡà³à²¦à²³à³. - The judge gave a lighter sentence due to the accused’s meritorious past.
Kannada: à²à²°à³à²ªà²¿à² ಠà³à² à³à² à²à³à²¤à²à²¾à²²à²µà²¨à³à²¨à³ ಪರಿಠಣಿಸಿ ನà³à² ಾಠಾಧà³à²¶à²¨à³ à²à²¡à²¿à²®à³ ಶಿà²à³à²·à³ ವಿಧಿಸಿದರà³. - He gained admission to the university based on his meritorious academic record.
Kannada: ಠವನೠತನà³à²¨ ಪà³à²°à²¶à²à²¸à²¨à³à² ಶà³à²à³à²·à²£à²¿à² ದಾà²à²²à³à² à²à²§à²¾à²°à²¦à²²à³à²²à²¿ ವಿಶà³à²µà²µà²¿à²¦à³à² ಾಲಠà²à³à²à³ ಪà³à²°à²µà³à²¶ ಪಡà³à²¦à²¨à³.
Root Word and Origin
The word ‘meritorious’ is derived from the Latin wordmeritorius, which means ‘deserving a reward.’ It is closely related to the noun ‘merit,’ which means excellence or worth. The suffix -ous turns the noun into an adjective, implying that the subject possesses merit.
Related Words and Synonyms
Understanding synonyms of meritorious can also help in broadening vocabulary. Some English synonyms include:
- Admirable
- Praiseworthy
- Commendable
- Noteworthy
- Exemplary
In Kannada, you might find equivalents like:
- à²à²¦à²°à³à²¶à²µà²à²¤ (ÄdarÅavanta) ideal, exemplary
- ವà²à²¦à²¨à³à² (VandanÄ«ya) worthy of respect
Contexts Where ‘Meritorious’ Is Commonly Used
The word meritorious is not used casually in everyday conversation but is frequently seen in formal and professional situations. Some of the most common areas include:
Academic Achievements
Students who score high marks or show exceptional talent are often described as having a meritorious academic record. In Kannada schools and colleges, such students may be referred to as ಠà³à² à³à² ವಿದà³à² ಾರà³à²¥à²¿à² ಳೠ(yÅgya vidyÄrthigaḷu).
Public Service and Awards
Government officials, military personnel, or community leaders who serve with dedication are sometimes honored for meritorious service. This term is used during award ceremonies and citations to recognize those who have gone beyond their duty.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
In law, meritorious claim refers to a case that has legal merit or is likely to succeed. This implies that the claim is valid, worthy of consideration, and not frivolous.
Religious or Spiritual Merit
In Indian philosophical contexts, especially in Hinduism and Buddhism, merit is often linked to good karma or virtuous deeds. While not directly translated as meritorious in these contexts, the idea aligns with words like ಪà³à²£à³à² (puá¹ya), which means moral or spiritual credit.
Why Understanding Meritorious Is Useful
For Kannada speakers and English learners, understanding the word meritorious can enhance both written and spoken communication, especially in formal contexts. Knowing its Kannada meaning allows for accurate translation and expression of complex ideas related to honor, worth, and excellence.
Benefits of Using ‘Meritorious’
- It adds sophistication and precision to your language.
- It helps express appreciation in professional settings.
- It is useful in academic and award-related writing.
Meritorious is a powerful English adjective that conveys worthiness, excellence, and praise. In Kannada, its meaning can be captured through words like ಮಾಹಾತà³à²®à³à² ಠà³à²¤, ಠà³à² à³à² , and ಪà³à²°à²¶à²à²¸à²¨à³à² , depending on the context. By learning how this word is used and how to translate it effectively, Kannada-speaking learners of English can enhance their vocabulary and confidently express respect and admiration for virtuous deeds. Whether you’re writing a recommendation letter, applying for a scholarship, or acknowledging someone’s achievement, using the word meritorious appropriately can add clarity and respect to your message.