patrimonio
“patrimonio” means “heritage” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
heritage
Also: legacy
📝 In Action
La ciudad de Toledo es parte del patrimonio español.
A2The city of Toledo is part of Spanish heritage.
Debemos cuidar nuestro patrimonio natural para las futuras generaciones.
B1We must take care of our natural heritage for future generations.
La UNESCO declaró este bosque como Patrimonio de la Humanidad.
B2UNESCO declared this forest a World Heritage site.
assets, net worth
Also: estate
📝 In Action
El empresario tiene un patrimonio de un millón de euros.
B2The businessman has a net worth of one million euros.
Es obligatorio declarar el patrimonio a Hacienda.
C1It is mandatory to declare your assets to the tax office.
La familia perdió todo su patrimonio durante la crisis.
B2The family lost all their assets during the crisis.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: patrimonio
Question 1 of 3
If a city is famous for its ancient architecture, it is considered...
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'patrimonium', which specifically meant 'property inherited from a father'. It comes from 'pater' (father).
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'patrimonio' only about money?
No! While it is used for financial assets, it is just as common to use it for cultural, historical, and natural things like museums, traditions, or national parks.
What's the difference between 'patrimonio' and 'herencia'?
'Herencia' usually refers to specific things (like a house or money) left by a relative. 'Patrimonio' is broader, referring to a person's total wealth or a country's collective history.
Is 'patrimonio' used differently in Spain than in Latin America?
Generally, no. The meaning is very stable across the Spanish-speaking world, especially in official and legal contexts.