01
erben
to inherit
To receive money, property, or a title from a person after their death.
example
Sie hat von ihrer Tante ein kleines Vermögen geerbt.
She inherited a small fortune from her aunt.
erben
to inherit
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Sentence structure and case
The verb 'erben' (to inherit) follows a fixed pattern: the person who inherits is the subject. What is inherited is in the accusative, and the person it is inherited from is in the dative with the preposition 'von' (from).
EXAMPLE
Er hat das Haus (Akkusativ) von seinen Großeltern (Dativ) geerbt.
He inherited the house (accusative) from his grandparents (dative).
Word family
'Erben' (to inherit) belongs to a word family around the topic of inheritance. 'Das Erbe' is what one inherits (e.g., money or traditions), and 'der Erbe' or 'die Erbin' is the person who inherits.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Tod des Königs trat der älteste Sohn das Erbe an.
After the king's death, the eldest son took over the inheritance.
Context clue
The context makes it clear which meaning is intended. If it is about money, houses, or objects, the financial meaning is meant. If it is about appearance, character, or illnesses, the genetic meaning is meant.
EXAMPLE
Mein Bruder hat Omas alte Uhr geerbt.
My brother inherited Grandma's old watch.
Compare with
erben vs hinterlassen
to leave / bequeath
'hinterlassen' and 'erben' can both have to do with property after a person's death. The important difference is the direction: a deceased person leaves something behind, while the other person inherits it. So 'hinterlassen' focuses on the person something comes from. 'erben' focuses on the person who receives something. Learners may confuse the words because both often occur in the same situation. In practice: someone who dies can 'hinterlassen' something; someone who receives something afterward 'erbt' it.
erben
Nach dem Tod ihrer Tante hat Maria einige alte Möbel geerbt.
After her aunt's death, Maria inherited some old furniture.
hinterlassen
Der Großvater hat seiner Familie ein kleines Haus hinterlassen.
The grandfather left his family a small house.
In real life
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