herencia
nounCEFR B2
What does “herencia” mean in English?
heritage, inheritance — cultural legacy or biological/legal inheritance
heritage, inheritance — cultural legacy or biological/legal inheritance (herencia cultural; herencia genética)
Example sentences
La herencia cultural de Al-Ándalus sigue siendo visible en la arquitectura y la lengua del sur de España.
The cultural heritage of Al-Andalus is still visible in the architecture and language of southern Spain.
Varios estudios indican que la predisposición a ciertas enfermedades tiene un componente de herencia genética.
Several studies indicate that predisposition to certain illnesses has a component of genetic inheritance.
Al morir sin testamento, la herencia fue repartida entre sus tres hijos según la ley.
Having died without a will, the inheritance was divided among the three children according to the law.
How to use it
La herencia (noun, feminine) covers two intersecting meanings at B2: (1) cultural or historical legacy (herencia cultural/histórica; la herencia de) and (2) biological or legal inheritance (herencia genética; recibir una herencia; dejar en herencia). The verb is heredar. Key collocations: herencia cultural/genética; recibir/dejar en herencia; herencia colonial. Distinguish from legado (legacy — more intentional, used for famous figures) and patrimonio (heritage/assets — institutional).
Common mistake
Herencia (general inheritance/heritage) ≠ legado (legacy — more intentional and associated with famous people). Patrimonio is used for institutional or national heritage (Patrimonio de la Humanidad = UNESCO World Heritage). 'To inherit' = heredar. 'Hereditary' = hereditario. Herencia cultural is a fixed compound — do not say *heredación cultural.