legacy / bequest
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legacy
What a person or an era leaves behind for future generations in terms of intellectual, cultural, or material values.
Das politische Vermächtnis des Kanzlers wird noch lange diskutiert werden.
The chancellor's political legacy will be discussed for a long time to come.
bequest
A legal provision in a will through which a person is given a specific financial benefit, such as an object or a sum of money, without that person becoming an heir.
Sie erhielt als Vermächtnis die wertvolle Uhrensammlung ihres Großvaters.
She received her grandfather's valuable watch collection as a bequest.
The meaning depends heavily on the context. If people are talking about history, culture, or politics, it refers to an intellectual or cultural inheritance, a 'legacy'. In connection with a will, inheritance, and money, it refers to the legal gift, a 'bequest'.
Das architektonische Vermächtnis der Bauhaus-Bewegung ist weltweit sichtbar.
The architectural legacy of the Bauhaus movement is visible worldwide.
In the sense of 'ideelles Erbe' (intellectual or cultural inheritance), 'Vermächtnis' (legacy) is often used with the verbs 'hinterlassen' (to leave behind), 'antreten' (to take up / inherit), or 'bewahren' (to preserve).
Die neue Generation von Wissenschaftlern muss das Vermächtnis ihrer Vorgänger antreten.
The new generation of scientists must take up the legacy of their predecessors.
The meaning 'rechtliche Zuwendung' (legal gift) is a specific term from inheritance law. In this context, the word belongs to legal terminology.
Ein Vermächtnis muss im Testament klar formuliert sein, um gültig zu sein.
A bequest must be clearly formulated in the will in order to be valid.
inheritance / heritage
Erbe and Vermächtnis can both be connected with the assets of a deceased person. Erbe generally covers the entire inheritance taken over, whereas Vermächtnis usually refers to a specific benefit deliberately given to someone who does not become an heir. Use Erbe for the whole inheritance and Vermächtnis for an individual bequest.
Im Testament erhielt die Nachbarin ein Vermächtnis von fünftausend Euro.
In the will, the neighbor received a bequest of five thousand euros.
Die drei Kinder übernahmen gemeinsam das Erbe ihrer Mutter.
The three children jointly took over their mother’s inheritance.
