German Conversation · Level 47
74 words
German word
Erbe
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈɛɐ̯bə/
Meaning
- neuter nouninheritance
Example
Sie erhielt das Erbe nach dem Tod ihres Onkels.
She received the inheritance after her uncle's death.
More examples
Sie lebt vom Erbe ihrer Großmutter.
She lives off her grandmother's inheritance.
Core concept
What one generation leaves behind connects inherited possessions with the successor who receives them.
Common phrases
das Erbe antreten
accept an inheritance
vom Erbe leben
live off an inheritance
das Erbe verwalten
manage an inheritance
Similar words
Erbschaft: Money, property, or real estate received through inheritance.
Nachlass: All assets and debts left by a deceased person.
Vermächtnis: Money or an item designated for a particular person in a will.
Testament: A legal document stating how an estate should be divided and who receives it.
Definition in German
Erbe ist die nach dem Tod übertragene Habe oder das Recht auf diese Habe; umgangssprachlich kann Erbe auch verkürzt für die erbende Person stehen.
Word origin
The noun developed from Old High German erbi through Middle High German erbe and is related to the Germanic source of English heir.
Usage tips
- In standard usage, the person is der Erbe or die Erbin, whereas das Erbe refers to the property or legacy; the article therefore changes the sense.
Other meanings
- heirnoun
- heritagenoun
Related words
- Erbschaftinheritancenoun
- erbeninheritverb
- Erbteilshare of an inheritancenoun