hinterlassen
to leave
To leave something behind in a place when you go away. This can happen intentionally or unintentionally.
EXAMPLE
Bitte hinterlassen Sie eine Nachricht nach dem Piepton.
Please leave a message after the beep.
hinterlassen
to leave / bequeath
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Meanings
hinterlassen
to bequeath
To leave something to someone as an inheritance after one's death.
EXAMPLE
Sein Großvater hat ihm eine wertvolle Uhrensammlung hinterlassen.
His grandfather bequeathed him a valuable watch collection.
hinterlassen
to leave
To create a trace, impression, or effect that remains after an action or event.
EXAMPLE
Der Künstler wollte mit seinem Werk einen bleibenden Eindruck hinterlassen.
The artist wanted to leave a lasting impression with his work.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Hinterlassen' (to leave / bequeath) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'hinter-' remains firmly attached to the verb stem in all tenses and sentence constructions and is not placed at the end of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Er hat bei seinem Auszug die Wohnung sehr sauber hinterlassen.
When he moved out, he left the apartment very clean.
Typical collocations
When leaving something behind, 'hinterlassen' (to leave) is often combined with information or small objects. Typical phrases are: 'eine Nachricht hinterlassen' (to leave a message), 'seine Telefonnummer hinterlassen' (to leave one's phone number), or 'einen Schlüssel hinterlassen' (to leave a key).
EXAMPLE
Der Gast hat an der Rezeption einen Brief für Sie hinterlassen.
The guest left a letter for you at reception.
Sentence structure with dative
In the meaning 'vererben' (to bequeath), 'hinterlassen' is often used with a person in the dative and a thing in the accusative. The structure is: subject leaves [dative: to whom?] [accusative: what?].
EXAMPLE
Die Tante hat ihrer Nichte ein kleines Vermögen hinterlassen.
The aunt bequeathed her niece a small fortune.
Abstract objects
When 'hinterlassen' (to leave) describes an effect, it is used with abstract nouns. Common combinations are 'einen Eindruck hinterlassen' (to leave an impression), 'Spuren hinterlassen' (to leave traces, figuratively), or 'ein Gefühl hinterlassen' (to leave a feeling).
EXAMPLE
Das Gespräch hat bei mir ein komisches Gefühl hinterlassen.
The conversation left me with a strange feeling.
Compare with
hinterlassen vs besprechen
to discuss / review
When referring to a message on an answering machine, both hinterlassen and besprechen can be appropriate. Hinterlassen presents the message as something left behind; besprechen emphasizes recording it on the answering machine or another medium. Choose hinterlassen for the message and besprechen for the device or medium.
hinterlassen
Ich hinterließ meiner Kollegin eine Nachricht auf dem Anrufbeantworter.
I left my colleague a message on the answering machine.
besprechen
Ich besprach den Anrufbeantworter mit einer kurzen Nachricht für meine Kollegin.
I recorded a short message for my colleague on the answering machine.
In real life
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