to bequeath
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to bequeath
To leave something to someone as an inheritance through a will. It is a legal arrangement for the event of death.
Die Großmutter hat ihren Enkeln ihre wertvolle Schmucksammlung vermacht.
The grandmother bequeathed her valuable jewelry collection to her grandchildren.
The verb 'vermachen' (to bequeath) is constructed with a person in the dative and a thing in the accusative. The person who inherits something is in the dative.
Er vermachte seinem Sohn (Dativ) das Haus (Akkusativ).
He bequeathed the house (accusative) to his son (dative).
'Vermachen' (to bequeath) is a formal, often legal word. It is used almost exclusively in the context of wills and inheritances.
In ihrem Testament hat sie alles der Tierschutzorganisation vermacht.
In her will, she bequeathed everything to the animal protection organization.
Typically, valuable things are bequeathed. Common objects are 'sein Vermögen' (one's fortune/assets), 'ein Haus' (a house), 'eine Sammlung' (a collection), or 'Aktien' (stocks/shares).
Der kinderlose Unternehmer vermachte sein gesamtes Vermögen einer Stiftung.
The childless entrepreneur bequeathed his entire fortune to a foundation.
to have at one's disposal / decree
'verfügen' and 'vermachen' can both occur in a will. 'verfügen' is more formal and means that someone legally stipulates what should happen to their property after death. 'vermachen' is more concrete: you bequeath something specific to a person or organization, for example money, jewelry, or a house. The words can be confused because both concern a person's last wishes. As a guide: you 'verfügen' in a will about your property, but you 'vermachen' something to someone.
Der alte Nachbar vermachte seiner Enkelin seine Büchersammlung.
The elderly neighbor bequeathed his book collection to his granddaughter.
Im Testament verfügt sie, dass ihr Vermögen an eine Stiftung gehen soll.
In her will, she stipulates that her assets should go to a foundation.