inheritance / heritage
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inheritance
The assets, possessions, and debts that a person leaves behind after their death and that pass to the heirs.
Nach dem Tod ihres Vaters trat sie ein kompliziertes Erbe an, das aus einem Haus und einigen Schulden bestand.
After her father's death, she accepted a complicated inheritance consisting of a house and some debts.
'Das Erbe' is part of a word family: 'erben' (to inherit) is the verb (the action), 'der Erbe' (male heir) or 'die Erbin' (female heir) is the person who inherits, and 'das Erbe' (inheritance/heritage) is what is inherited.
Als einziger Sohn wird er das gesamte Vermögen erben.
As the only son, he will inherit the entire fortune.
You can recognize the meaning from context: if it is about money or possessions, the financial inheritance (m01) is meant. If it is about history, art, or tradition, it is cultural heritage (m02). In the context of biology or medicine, genetic heritage (m03) is meant.
Sie stritten sich jahrelang um das Erbe ihrer Eltern.
They argued for years over their parents' inheritance.
In the financial context, there are two important verbs: 'ein Erbe antreten' means to accept an inheritance. 'Ein Erbe ausschlagen' means to officially refuse it, which often happens when there are debts.
Er musste das Erbe ausschlagen, weil die Schulden zu hoch waren.
He had to refuse the inheritance because the debts were too high.
Cultural heritage is often specified more closely by adjectives such as 'kulturell' (cultural), 'historisch' (historical), or 'national' (national). A very common compound is also 'das Weltkulturerbe' (world cultural heritage).
Die Altstadt von Bamberg gehört zum Weltkulturerbe.
The old town of Bamberg is part of the World Heritage Site.
blood
'das Blut' and 'das Erbe' can both mean something that is passed down from parents or ancestors. In this context, 'Blut' refers more to the family line or ancestry and often sounds figurative. 'Erbe' is more precise when it is about what is passed on: for example genetic traits, but also possessions or culture in other meanings. Learners may confuse the words because both are connected to family and transmission. For genes or traits, you are more likely to say 'genetisches Erbe' (genetic heritage). For belonging to a family or line, you can figuratively speak of 'Blut' (blood).
Die Ärztin erklärte, dass diese Krankheit Teil des genetischen Erbes sein kann.
The doctor explained that this disease can be part of a family's genetic heritage.
Manche Familien glauben, dass Mut und Stolz in ihrem Blut liegen.
Some families believe that courage and pride are in their blood.