Inklingo

How to Say "inheritance" in Spanish

English → Spanish

herencia

eh-REN-see-aheˈɾenθja

nounB1general
Use 'herencia' when referring to money, property, or other assets passed down from one generation to the next, especially from a deceased person.
A small, ornate wooden treasure chest overflowing with gold coins and a few pieces of jewelry, placed next to a rolled-up legal document tied with a red ribbon.

Examples

Recibió una gran herencia de su abuelo.

She received a large inheritance from her grandfather.

Tuvieron que pagar muchos impuestos por la herencia.

They had to pay many taxes on the inheritance.

Feminine Noun

'Herencia' is a feminine word, so always use feminine articles and adjectives with it (e.g., 'la herencia', 'una herencia grande').

Saying 'the heir'

Mistake: “El herencia”

Correction: La herencia. Remember the word is feminine, even if the person receiving the inheritance is male.

legado

leh-GAH-dohleˈɣa.ðo

nounB1general
Use 'legado' when the inheritance is specifically mentioned in a will, or when referring to a broader sense of something passed down, like a cultural or historical legacy.
A close-up view of an antique, golden key being gently passed from the wrinkled hand of an older person to the smaller, open hand of a child.

Examples

El legado cultural de los romanos aún se ve en Europa.

The cultural legacy of the Romans is still seen in Europe.

Su mayor legado fue la fundación de una escuela gratuita.

His greatest legacy was the founding of a free school.

Recibió un pequeño legado de su tía abuela.

She received a small bequest (inheritance) from her great-aunt.

Always Masculine

Even though 'legacy' can feel abstract, 'legado' is always a masculine noun, so you use 'el' (the) or 'un' (a) before it.

Legado vs. Herencia

Mistake: “Using 'herencia' when referring to a person's abstract impact (e.g., 'the herencia of the president').”

Correction: 'Legado' is better for abstract impact, reputation, or cultural contribution. 'Herencia' usually refers specifically to money or property left in a will.

sucesión

nounC1legal/formal
Use 'sucesión' to refer to the formal legal process of transferring an estate and its assets after someone's death.

Examples

El abogado está gestionando la sucesión de mi abuelo.

The lawyer is managing my grandfather's estate/inheritance.

Herencia vs. Sucesión

Learners often confuse 'herencia' and 'sucesión'. Remember that 'herencia' is the inherited *thing* (money, property), while 'sucesión' is the legal *process* of transferring that inheritance. You receive a 'herencia' through the 'sucesión'.

Related Translations

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