inheritance
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inheritance
The assets, property, or debts that a person receives after the death of another person (the testator).
Mit der Erbschaft seiner Tante konnte er sich ein kleines Haus kaufen.
With the inheritance from his aunt, he was able to buy himself a small house.
inheritance
The process or legal act of inheriting itself.
Die Regelung der Erbschaft zog sich über mehrere Monate hin.
The settlement of the inheritance dragged on for several months.
legacy
Something that is taken over from earlier generations, whether in a cultural, intellectual, or biological sense; a legacy.
Die Demokratie ist eine wertvolle politische Erbschaft, die wir bewahren müssen.
Democracy is a valuable political legacy that we must preserve.
'Die Erbschaft' (inheritance) belongs to the word family of 'erben' (to inherit) and 'das Erbe' (inheritance / heritage). While 'das Erbe' often means the inherited property itself, 'die Erbschaft' more often describes the whole process or the legal concept.
Wer etwas erbt, macht eine Erbschaft.
Someone who inherits something receives an inheritance.
In legal and financial contexts, there are fixed verb combinations. You can 'annehmen' (accept) or 'antreten' (enter into / take up) an inheritance. It is especially important that you can also 'ausschlagen' (refuse) an inheritance, for example if it consists only of debts.
Da die Erbschaft vor allem aus Schulden bestand, hat er sie ausgeschlagen.
Since the inheritance consisted mainly of debts, he refused it.
In its figurative meaning, 'Erbschaft' (legacy) is a rather formal and educated-sounding word. It is often used in discussions about history, culture, or politics to describe a legacy.
Der Schutz der Menschenrechte ist eine wichtige kulturelle Erbschaft der Aufklärung.
The protection of human rights is an important cultural legacy of the Enlightenment.
The meaning can be recognized easily from the context. If it is about money, a house, or the death of a specific person, the financial or legal meaning is intended. If it is about history, ideas, or culture, the figurative meaning is intended.
Er stritt mit seinem Bruder um die Erbschaft des Vaters.
He argued with his brother about their father's inheritance.
inheritance / heritage
Erbe and Erbschaft both refer to assets transferred after someone’s death. Erbe tends to mean the entire inheritance taken over, while Erbschaft often refers to the specific acquisition or share received by one person. Use Erbe when referring to the total assets and Erbschaft when referring to a share received.
Nach dem Verfahren erhielt sie eine Erbschaft von zwanzigtausend Euro.
After the proceedings, she received an inheritance of twenty thousand euros.
Das Erbe ihres Vaters bestand aus einem Haus, Ersparnissen und einigen Schulden.
Her father’s inheritance consisted of a house, savings, and some debts.
