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.
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.
availability / order
'die Verfügung' and 'das Vermächtnis' can both occur in legal texts. However, a 'Verfügung' is a more general word for an official or legal order. A 'Vermächtnis' is much more specific: it appears in a will and gives a person a specific benefit, for example money or an object. The words can be confused because a bequest is also a type of legal provision. Even so, you do not call every 'Verfügung' a 'Vermächtnis'. 'Vermächtnis' only fits when it is about a will and a specific gift after death.
Im Testament stand ein Vermächtnis für die Nachbarin.
The will included a bequest for the neighbor.
Das Gericht änderte die Verfügung, weil neue Informationen vorlagen.
The court changed the order because new information was available.