heredar
/eɾeˈdaɾ/
The English phrase 'inherit' is translated into Spanish as heredar.
heredar is a verb used to describe receiving property or a title through legal succession. If you are referring to the noun 'inheritance', use herencia. If you are talking about a legal 'will', the word is testamento.
Meaning: to receive property or a title by legal succession etc. (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle of heredar is heredado. In the preterite tense, the first person singular form ('I inherited') is heredé and the third person singular form ('he/she inherited') is heredó.
How do you pronounce it?
/eɾeˈdaɾ/
Did you know?
- In Spain, there is a legal concept called la legítima. This is a portion of the herencia that must by law go to the children, meaning a parent cannot fully disinherit them regardless of what is written in the testamento.
- While heredar means 'to inherit', the word for 'heir' is heredero. In Spanish law, there is a distinct difference between a heredero and a legatario, the latter of whom inherits only a specific object rather than a proportion of the estate.
- The word herencia is used for both financial inheritance and biological traits. However, when talking about 'inheriting' a personality trait, Spanish speakers often use the phrase salir a to say someone 'came out like' their parent.
Examples in context
- Tom no heredará mucho.Tom won't inherit much.This sentence uses heredar to show a negative future outcome regarding an inheritance.Tatoeba #11385416 by Jeigmz, translation #7464045 by CK
- Toda la colonia heredará el DNA mutante.The entire colony will inherit the mutant DNA.This sentence uses heredar to describe biological inheritance.Tatoeba #1283547 by marcelostockle, translation #1283620 by marcelostockle
- Sus parientes estaban seguros de que ellos heredarían la mayoría de su riqueza.His relatives took it for granted that they would inherit the bulk of his wealth.This sentence uses heredar to express an assumption about receiving wealth.Tatoeba #483466 by Raimondi, translation #286856 by papabear
- Ella heredará un gran patrimonioShe will inherit a large estate
- Ella recibió una herencia sustancialShe received a substantial inheritance
- Él adquirió el negocio familiar por herenciaHe acquired the family business through inheritance
- Pillaron una herencia enormeThey scored a huge inheritance
- Él heredó la riqueza de su padre en España.He inherited his father's wealth in Spain.
- Ella recibió una gran herencia tras la muerte de su abuelo.She received a large inheritance after her grandfather's death.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are talking about their grandfather's house.
- MateoCreo que voy a heredar la casa del abuelo.I think I am going to inherit grandfather's house.
- LucíaNo estoy segura, Mateo. Hay otros hermanos.I'm not sure, Mateo. There are other siblings.
- MateoPero yo cuidé de él por muchos años.But I took care of him for many years.
- LucíaEspero que el testamento sea justo para todos.I hope the will is fair for everyone.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “inherit” translations and entries heredar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
