herencia
/eh-REN-see-ah/
inheritance
The concept of herencia as a monetary inheritance often involves assets or valuables being passed down.
herencia(noun)
inheritance
?money or assets passed down
bequest
?formal term for property left in a will
📝 In Action
Recibió una gran herencia de su abuelo.
B1She received a large inheritance from her grandfather.
Tuvieron que pagar muchos impuestos por la herencia.
B2They had to pay many taxes on the inheritance.
💡 Grammar Points
Feminine Noun
'Herencia' is a feminine word, so always use feminine articles and adjectives with it (e.g., 'la herencia', 'una herencia grande').
❌ Common Pitfalls
Saying 'the heir'
Mistake: "El herencia"
Correction: La herencia. Remember the word is feminine, even if the person receiving the inheritance is male.
Herencia can also refer to heritage, representing the cultural and historical legacy passed down through generations.
herencia(noun)
heritage
?cultural or historical legacy
,legacy
?what is passed down
genetic trait
?biological characteristic
📝 In Action
La herencia cultural de España es muy rica.
B2Spain's cultural heritage is very rich.
El color de sus ojos es una herencia genética de su madre.
B2His eye color is a genetic trait (or inheritance) from his mother.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with Adjectives
When talking about culture, you almost always need an adjective to specify the type of heritage, like 'cultural' (cultural), 'histórica' (historical), or 'artística' (artistic).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: herencia
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'herencia' in the sense of cultural legacy?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if 'herencia' means money or culture?
Look at the context. If the sentence mentions family members, wills, or money ('millones', 'casa'), it's financial inheritance. If it mentions history, traditions, or a group ('cultura', 'país'), it’s heritage.