heredar
verbCEFR B2
What does “heredar” mean in English?
to inherit, to receive
to inherit, to receive (heredar bienes/responsabilidades — receive property, qualities, or roles from a predecessor)
Example sentences
Al heredar la empresa familiar, tuvo que asumir responsabilidades para las que no estaba del todo preparada.
On inheriting the family business, she had to take on responsibilities she was not entirely ready for.
El nuevo gobierno heredó una deuda pública de proporciones históricas que condicionará su gestión durante años.
The new government inherited a public debt of historic proportions that will constrain its management for years.
Parece que heredó el talento musical de su abuela, que fue concertista de piano en los años cuarenta.
She seems to have inherited the musical talent from her grandmother, who was a concert pianist in the 1940s.
How to use it
Heredar means 'to inherit'. Structure: heredar algo (de alguien) — inherit something (from someone). At B2, both literal (inherit property) and figurative senses matter: heredar la pasión por la música (inherit a passion for music), heredar los problemas de una gestión anterior (inherit the problems of a previous management). The noun is la herencia (inheritance/heritage). Don't confuse with recibir (receive — more neutral, no implication of legacy) or adquirir (acquire — through purchase or effort).
Common mistake
Heredar (receive by succession or genetics) always implies a prior owner/source and a chain of transmission. 'Heredé el piso de mi abuelo' (I inherited my grandfather's flat). The preposition de introduces the source: 'heredar de alguien'. The figurative sense (inherit a situation or problem) is very productive at B2.