German word

Testament

Pronunciation

IPA/tɛstaˈmɛnt/

Meaning

  • neuter nounwill

Example

Er hat sein Testament beim Notar hinterlegt.

He has deposited his will with the notary.

Illustration for Testament (will)

More examples

Bevor sie abreiste, wollte sie ihr Testament widerrufen.

Before she left, she wanted to revoke her will.

Core concept

A formal document that preserves a person's decisions about property and other matters after death.

Common phrases

  • ein eigenhändiges Testament schreiben

    write a handwritten will

  • das Testament widerrufen

    revoke the will

  • eine Klausel im Testament formulieren

    formulate a clause in the will

Similar words

Letzter Wille: A person's final wishes for what should happen after death.
Nachlass: All property and assets left by a deceased person.
Erbe: A person who inherits property or assets after someone dies.
Vermächtnis: A specific gift of money or property assigned to someone in a will.

Definition in German

Ein Testament ist ein schriftliches Dokument, in dem jemand seinen letzten Willen für den Todesfall festhält und Verfügungen über das Vermögen trifft.

Word origin

German Testament comes through Latin testamentum, meaning a declaration or formal agreement, and developed into the legal sense of a last will.

Usage tips

  • Testament is neuter, so the forms are das Testament and die Testamente; English testament also commonly refers to a biblical section.

Related words

  • testamentarischtestamentaryadjective
  • Testamentsurkundetestamentary documentnoun

Word lists with this word