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A2 verb #4,000 más común 10 min de lectura

herdar

Top 4,000

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos herdar en 30 segundos

Explicación herdar in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should know that 'herdar' means 'to get' something from your family. It is usually used for physical things like a house or a car, or simple traits like eye color. You don't need to know complex legal terms yet. Just remember: 'Eu herdei' (I inherited) and 'Ele herdou' (He inherited). Use it when talking about your family and your appearance. For example: 'Eu herdei os olhos verdes da minha mãe.' (I inherited green eyes from my mother). Focus on the connection between you and your parents or grandparents. The word starts with a silent 'H', so pronounce it starting with the 'E'. Think of it as a special kind of 'receiving' that only happens within a family tree.

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At the A2 level, you can start using 'herdar' in more varied sentences. You should understand that it is a regular verb ending in -ar. This means you can conjugate it easily in the present (eu herdo, você herda) and the simple past (eu herdei, você herdou). You should also practice using the preposition 'de' to say who you inherited from, like 'herdar do meu pai' or 'herdar da minha tia'. At this level, you can also use it for personality traits, not just physical things. For example, 'Ele herdou a paciência do avô.' (He inherited his grandfather's patience). You are moving beyond just physical objects into the world of character and personality, which is very common in Portuguese daily conversation.

By B1, you should be comfortable using 'herdar' in different tenses, including the future and the imperfect. You should also be aware of related nouns like 'herança' (inheritance) and 'herdeiro' (heir). You can use 'herdar' to discuss more abstract concepts, such as cultural legacy or the state of a country. For instance, 'A nova geração vai herdar um mundo com muitos desafios ambientais.' (The new generation will inherit a world with many environmental challenges). You should also be able to use the passive voice: 'A casa foi herdada pelos três irmãos.' (The house was inherited by the three brothers). Your understanding of the word should now include social and environmental contexts, reflecting a broader vocabulary.

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At the B2 level, you should understand the nuances between 'herdar' and its synonyms like 'suceder' or 'legar'. You can use the word in formal legal or academic contexts. You might discuss 'direitos hereditários' (hereditary rights) or how a company's culture is 'herdada' by new employees. You should be able to handle complex sentence structures, such as: 'Caso ele venha a herdar a empresa, terá de lidar com as dívidas acumuladas.' (Should he come to inherit the company, he will have to deal with the accumulated debts). You can also use it metaphorically in literature or political analysis to describe the continuity of ideas or problems across history.

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At the C1 level, you use 'herdar' with precision and stylistic flair. You understand its role in complex legal discussions regarding 'legítima' (the mandatory part of an inheritance) and 'sucessão'. You can use the verb to explore deep sociological themes, such as 'herdar o capital cultural' (inheriting cultural capital). You are aware of idiomatic expressions and can use the word to create subtle meanings in your writing. For example, discussing how a literary movement 'herdou' the aesthetics of a previous era. You can fluidly switch between biological, legal, and metaphorical meanings without hesitation, maintaining the appropriate register for the audience, whether it's a legal brief or a poetic essay.

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At the C2 level, your mastery of 'herdar' is complete. You can navigate the most intricate legal documents involving complex inheritance structures across different jurisdictions. You use the word to discuss philosophy, history, and science at an expert level. You might analyze how modern languages 'herdaram' structures from Latin or how entire civilizations 'herdaram' the ruins of their predecessors. You can use the word in highly sophisticated wordplay or irony. You are also fully aware of the historical evolution of the word from Latin and its cognates in other Romance languages, using this knowledge to enrich your linguistic expression and understanding of the Portuguese language's heritage.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

herdar en 30 segundos

The verb 'herdar' means to inherit, used for receiving money, property, or genetic traits from family members or ancestors across generations.
It is a regular -ar verb in Portuguese, conjugated as 'herdo', 'herdei', etc., and often requires the preposition 'de' to indicate the source.
Commonly used in legal contexts (wills), biological contexts (genetics), and metaphorical contexts (inheriting problems or traditions from predecessors).
Essential for A2 learners to discuss family history, physical appearance, and personality traits, connecting the past to the current state of things.

The Portuguese verb herdar is a fundamental term that bridges the gap between legal transitions of wealth and the biological continuity of life. At its core, it translates to 'to inherit' in English. However, its usage is much broader than just receiving money after a relative passes away. In Portuguese culture, the concept of inheritance is deeply intertwined with family identity, physical traits, and even personality quirks. When you use this word, you are speaking about the transmission of something from a previous generation to a current one, whether that be a tangible asset like a house or an intangible quality like a stubborn attitude.

Financial Context: This is the most direct application. It refers to the legal process of receiving assets, debts, or titles from a deceased person. For example, 'Ele herdou uma pequena fortuna do seu tio' (He inherited a small fortune from his uncle). In Portugal and Brazil, inheritance laws are quite specific, and the word 'herdar' is the standard term used in both casual conversation and legal documents.

Muitas pessoas sonham em herdar um castelo, mas a realidade costuma envolver apenas dívidas e burocracia.

Biological and Genetic Context: Beyond the bank account, 'herdar' is the primary way to describe genetic inheritance. If you have blue eyes like your mother, you would say 'Herdei os olhos da minha mãe'. It covers everything from height and hair color to predispositions for certain health conditions. It is a neutral term used in both scientific and everyday contexts.

Ela teve a sorte de herdar a inteligência e a paciência dos seus avós maternos.

Metaphorical and Cultural Context: In a broader sense, 'herdar' describes the legacy of a nation or a group. One might 'herdar os problemas' (inherit the problems) of a previous administration in a political sense, or 'herdar uma tradição' (inherit a tradition). It implies that the current situation is a direct result of what was left behind by predecessors.

O novo diretor acabou por herdar uma empresa em sérias dificuldades financeiras.

Nós vamos herdar a responsabilidade de cuidar deste planeta para as próximas gerações.

Se você não cuidar da sua saúde, os seus filhos podem herdar os mesmos problemas.

Understanding 'herdar' is essential for talking about family history, genetics, and socio-economic status in Lusophone countries. It is a word that carries weight, often implying a sense of duty or a link to the past that cannot be easily broken. Whether it is a positive gift or a burdensome legacy, 'herdar' is the vessel through which the past flows into the present.

Using the verb herdar correctly requires understanding its grammatical structure and the prepositions that often accompany it. As a transitive verb, it usually takes a direct object (the thing inherited) and often an indirect object introduced by the preposition 'de' (the person from whom it was inherited).

Direct Object Usage: The simplest way to use 'herdar' is to follow it with what is being inherited. 'Eu herdei uma casa' (I inherited a house). No preposition is needed between the verb and the noun. This applies to both physical objects and abstract qualities.

Eles herdaram o talento musical de toda a família.

Identifying the Source (The 'De' Preposition): When you want to specify who gave the inheritance, use 'de' (from). Remember that 'de' contracts with articles: de + o = do, de + a = da, de + os = dos, de + as = das. 'Herdei o carro do meu pai' (I inherited the car from my father).

Você herdou esse feitio difícil da sua avó, não foi?

Using with Pronouns: When the object is already known, you can use direct object pronouns (o, a, os, as). For example: 'Aquela casa? Eu a herdei' (That house? I inherited it). In informal Brazilian Portuguese, you might hear 'Eu herdei ela', though this is grammatically incorrect in formal writing.

Muitos bens foram perdidos, mas as joias ela as herdou com muito carinho.

Nós não queremos herdar as dívidas de ninguém.

Quem herda o trono numa monarquia constitucional?

Mastering 'herdar' also means knowing its tense changes. In the Pretérito Perfeito (Simple Past), which is very common for this verb, the endings for -ar verbs are: -ei, -ou, -ámos (PT)/-amos (BR), -aram. 'Eu herdei', 'Ele herdou'. This is the tense you will likely use most often when recounting family history or discussing a specific event of receiving something.

The word herdar is ubiquitous across various domains of Portuguese life, ranging from the highly formal to the intimately personal. Knowing where you'll encounter it helps you prepare for the specific vocabulary that usually surrounds it.

In the Lawyer's Office (Advogado): If you are dealing with a will (testamento) or an estate (espólio), 'herdar' is the central action. You will hear phrases like 'direito de herdar' (right to inherit) or 'herdar por lei' (inherit by law). It is the language of succession and legal rights.

O advogado explicou quem tinha o direito legal de herdar os terrenos da família.

At the Family Dinner Table: This is where 'herdar' becomes personal and often humorous. Relatives might comment on a child's behavior by saying, 'Ele herdou a teimosia do pai' (He inherited his father's stubbornness). It's used to explain why people are the way they are, linking them to their ancestors.

Todos dizem que eu herdei o riso da minha tia Maria.

In Science and Medical Contexts: Doctors and biologists use 'herdar' to discuss hereditary diseases (doenças hereditárias) or genetic traits. 'Herdar um gene' is a common phrase in health discussions. It is used to trace the lineage of medical conditions through generations.

É possível herdar uma predisposição para a diabetes se ambos os pais a tiverem.

Na história, muitos reis herdaram o trono ainda crianças.

A protagonista da novela herdou uma medalha que esconde um grande mistério.

Whether you are reading a newspaper in Lisbon, watching a 'novela' in Rio de Janeiro, or talking to a doctor in Luanda, 'herdar' is the word that connects the past to the present. It covers the legal, the biological, and the metaphorical, making it a versatile and essential verb for any Portuguese learner.

While herdar is a relatively straightforward verb, English speakers and new learners often stumble on a few specific areas. Recognizing these pitfalls early will help you sound more like a native speaker.

Confusing 'Herdar' with 'Ganhar' or 'Receber': In English, we sometimes say we 'got' something from our parents. In Portuguese, if it's an inheritance, 'ganhar' (to win/earn) or 'receber' (to receive) are too generic. 'Receber' is okay, but 'herdar' specifically implies the generational link. Using 'ganhar' for a house you inherited might make it sound like you won it in a lottery.

Incorreto: Eu ganhei os olhos azuis da minha mãe. (Sounds like a gift or a prize). Correto: Eu herdei os olhos azuis da minha mãe.

Preposition Errors: 'Herdar para': Learners sometimes try to say 'inherit to' someone. Remember that 'herdar' is the action of the person *receiving*. If you want to say someone *left* something to someone else, use the verb 'deixar' or 'legar'. You 'herdar de' (inherit from), you don't 'herdar para'.

Incorreto: Ele herdou a casa para o filho. (Grammatically confusing). Correto: Ele deixou a casa para o filho. / O filho herdou a casa do pai.

Pronunciation of the 'H': In Portuguese, the letter 'H' at the beginning of a word is always silent. English speakers often try to aspirate it (like 'hello'). 'Herdar' should start with the 'e' sound, similar to 'air-dar' but with a Portuguese 'e'.

Lembre-se: O 'h' de herdar é mudo. Pronuncia-se como 'er-dar'.

Não confunda herdar (inherit) com adotar (adopt), embora ambos envolvam família!

Muitos alunos escrevem erdar porque não ouvem a primeira letra. Não cometa esse erro!

By paying attention to these common errors—especially the silent 'h' and the proper use of the preposition 'de'—you will be able to discuss inheritance and family traits with confidence and accuracy. Remember, 'herdar' is about what *you* receive from someone else.

While herdar is the most common word for inheriting, Portuguese offers several alternatives depending on the level of formality and the specific context. Understanding these synonyms will help you refine your vocabulary and understand more complex texts.

Suceder (To Succeed): Often used in political or royal contexts. While 'herdar' is about the things received, 'suceder' is about taking over a position or office. 'O príncipe sucedeu ao rei' (The prince succeeded the king). In legal terms, 'sucessão' is the noun for the whole process of inheritance.

Ele não apenas herdou a fortuna, mas também sucedeu o pai na presidência da empresa.

Receber por Testamento (To Receive by Will): This is a more descriptive way of saying someone inherited something specifically because it was written in a will. It is more formal and precise than just saying 'herdar', which can also happen by law without a will (intestate).

Ela recebeu as joias raras por testamento, conforme o desejo da sua madrinha.

Adquirir (To Acquire): In a very broad sense, one might 'adquirir' a trait or a habit. However, 'adquirir' usually implies some level of effort or external influence, whereas 'herdar' is passive. You acquire a skill, but you inherit a talent.

Embora tenha herdado o piano, ela teve de adquirir a técnica através de muito estudo.

O termo obter é muito genérico; herdar é muito mais específico para laços familiares.

Não é apenas genética; muitos hábitos nós herdamos pela convivência diária.

Choosing the right word depends on whether you are emphasizing the legal process (suceder, receber por testamento), the biological reality (herdar), or the general acquisition of something. For A2 learners, sticking with 'herdar' for most generational transmissions is the safest and most natural choice.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

The 'H' in 'herdar' was originally pronounced in Latin but became silent as the Romance languages evolved. In Portuguese, we kept the 'H' in writing to respect the word's history, even though we don't say it.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /eɾ.ˈdaɾ/

US /eɾ.ˈdaɾ/

The stress is on the last syllable: her-DAR.

Rima con

andar falar cantar olhar pensar dar mar lugar

Errores comunes

Pronouncing the 'H' at the beginning (it must be silent).
Pronouncing the 'e' like 'ee' (it should be 'eh').
Stress on the first syllable (it should be on the last).
Making the 'r' too hard like an English 'r'.
Nasalizing the 'e' (it is a pure oral vowel).

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 2/5

Easy to recognize due to its similarity to the English 'inherit' and other Romance languages.

Escritura 3/5

The silent 'H' can lead to spelling mistakes ('erdar'), and the preposition 'de' needs careful contraction.

Expresión oral 3/5

Remembering to keep the 'H' silent and placing the stress on the final syllable is key.

Escucha 2/5

Generally clear, but the silent 'H' means it sounds like it starts with a vowel.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

família pai mãe casa dinheiro

Aprende después

herança herdeiro testamento legar suceder

Avanzado

espólio legítima meação inventário descendência

Gramática que debes saber

Regular -ar Verb Conjugation

Eu herdo, tu herdas, ele herda, nós herdamos, eles herdam.

Preposition 'de' Contraction

Herdei do (de + o) meu pai; herdei da (de + a) minha mãe.

Direct Object Placement

Eu herdei-o (I inherited it) - referring to 'o relógio'.

Passive Voice with 'Ser'

A fortuna foi herdada (The fortune was inherited).

Future Subjunctive for Conditions

Se eu herdar a casa, vou pintá-la de azul.

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Ejemplos por nivel

Eu herdei os olhos azuis.

I inherited the blue eyes.

Simple past tense, first person singular.

Ele herdou uma casa.

He inherited a house.

Simple past tense, third person singular.

Nós herdamos o carro.

We inherited the car.

Simple past tense, first person plural.

Você herda o dinheiro?

Do you inherit the money?

Present tense question.

Ela herda a beleza da mãe.

She inherits her mother's beauty.

Present tense, third person singular.

Eles herdaram um gato.

They inherited a cat.

Simple past tense, third person plural.

Eu vou herdar o relógio.

I am going to inherit the watch.

Future with 'vou' + infinitive.

O meu irmão herdou a quinta.

My brother inherited the farm.

Simple past tense, third person singular.

Eu herdei o feitio do meu pai.

I inherited my father's temperament.

Uses 'do' (de + o) to show source.

Ela herdou a casa da sua avó.

She inherited her grandmother's house.

Uses 'da' (de + a) to show source.

Nós herdamos muitos livros antigos.

We inherited many old books.

Direct object with adjective.

Eles herdaram o talento para a música.

They inherited a talent for music.

Abstract object 'talento'.

Você herdou o sorriso da sua tia?

Did you inherit your aunt's smile?

Interrogative in the past.

O João herdou as dívidas do tio.

João inherited his uncle's debts.

Negative inheritance (debts).

Eu herdei esta joia da minha família.

I inherited this jewel from my family.

Demonstrative pronoun 'esta'.

A Maria herdou a paciência da mãe.

Maria inherited her mother's patience.

Abstract quality.

Se eu herdar a empresa, vou mudar tudo.

If I inherit the company, I will change everything.

Future subjunctive 'herdar' (same as infinitive for -ar verbs).

Dizem que ele herdou uma fortuna imensa.

They say he inherited an immense fortune.

Impersonal 'Dizem que'.

Nós herdamos a responsabilidade de cuidar da avó.

We inherited the responsibility of taking care of our grandmother.

Metaphorical inheritance of duty.

Ela herdou a inteligência, mas não a sorte.

She inherited intelligence, but not luck.

Contrast using 'mas'.

Muitas doenças podem ser herdadas geneticamente.

Many diseases can be inherited genetically.

Passive voice with auxiliary 'ser'.

O que você gostaria de herdar dos seus pais?

What would you like to inherit from your parents?

Conditional 'gostaria'.

Eles herdaram um terreno perto da praia.

They inherited a piece of land near the beach.

Locative phrase 'perto da praia'.

A criança herdou o nome do avô falecido.

The child inherited the name of his late grandfather.

Inheriting a name.

É provável que ele herde o título de duque.

It is likely that he will inherit the title of duke.

Present subjunctive 'herde'.

A humanidade herdou um planeta em crise.

Humanity inherited a planet in crisis.

Broad, collective subject.

Ela herdou a coragem necessária para enfrentar o desafio.

She inherited the courage necessary to face the challenge.

Complex object with adjective clause.

Os filhos herdaram partes iguais da propriedade.

The children inherited equal parts of the property.

Plural agreement and quantitative phrase.

Ele herdou o cargo após a renúncia do antecessor.

He inherited the position after the predecessor's resignation.

Temporal clause 'após a renúncia'.

Ninguém queria herdar aquele segredo terrível.

Nobody wanted to inherit that terrible secret.

Modal verb 'querer' + infinitive.

A cultura portuguesa herdou muito da influência árabe.

Portuguese culture inherited much from Arabic influence.

Historical/Cultural context.

Eles herdaram o direito de explorar a mina.

They inherited the right to explore the mine.

Legal right as object.

O herdeiro legítimo herdou a totalidade dos bens.

The legitimate heir inherited the entirety of the assets.

Use of technical terms like 'legítimo' and 'totalidade'.

Herdamos um sistema político obsoleto e ineficaz.

We inherited an obsolete and ineffective political system.

Stylistic use of adjectives.

Ela herdou a veia artística que percorre a família.

She inherited the artistic vein that runs through the family.

Metaphorical 'veia artística'.

Ao herdar o trono, o jovem rei enfrentou revoltas.

Upon inheriting the throne, the young king faced revolts.

Gerund-like use of 'Ao' + infinitive.

Muitos aspetos da língua foram herdados do latim vulgar.

Many aspects of the language were inherited from Vulgar Latin.

Passive voice in a linguistic context.

Não se pode herdar a sabedoria; ela deve ser conquistada.

One cannot inherit wisdom; it must be conquered.

Philosophical contrast.

Ele herdou a melancolia típica dos seus antepassados.

He inherited the typical melancholy of his ancestors.

Emotional state as inheritance.

A empresa herdou uma cultura de inovação constante.

The company inherited a culture of constant innovation.

Corporate culture context.

A jurisprudência herdou conceitos do direito romano.

Jurisprudence inherited concepts from Roman law.

Academic and legal register.

Eles herdaram o fardo de uma dívida histórica impagável.

They inherited the burden of an unpayable historical debt.

Metaphorical 'fardo' (burden).

A literatura contemporânea herdou o experimentalismo do modernismo.

Contemporary literature inherited the experimentalism of modernism.

Literary analysis context.

É imperativo questionar o que herdamos da tradição.

It is imperative to question what we inherit from tradition.

Subjunctive and philosophical inquiry.

A linhagem herdou uma predisposição para a longevidade.

The lineage inherited a predisposition for longevity.

Scientific/Biological precision.

Herdar o silêncio dos pais pode ser uma forma de trauma.

Inheriting the silence of one's parents can be a form of trauma.

Psychological/Abstract inheritance.

O território herdou as cicatrizes de séculos de guerra.

The territory inherited the scars of centuries of war.

Poetic and metaphorical use of 'cicatrizes'.

A arquitetura da cidade herdou a grandiosidade colonial.

The city's architecture inherited colonial grandiosity.

Architectural/Historical context.

Colocaciones comunes

herdar uma fortuna

herdar os olhos

herdar o feitio

herdar dívidas

herdar o trono

herdar a empresa

herdar um talento

herdar genes

herdar por lei

herdar um problema

Frases Comunes

Quem herda não furta

— An old proverb suggesting that inheriting something is a legitimate way to acquire it, and one shouldn't be blamed for their family traits.

Ele é teimoso como o pai, mas quem herda não furta.

herdar em vida

— To receive an 'inheritance' while the giver is still alive, usually as a gift.

Os meus pais decidiram que eu deveria herdar a casa em vida.

herdar o nome

— To be given the same name as an ancestor, carrying on the family legacy.

O neto herdou o nome do avô, António.

herdar a terra

— Often used in religious or poetic contexts to mean taking possession of the world.

Diz-se que os humildes herdarão a terra.

herdar a culpa

— To carry the burden or shame of one's ancestors' actions.

As novas gerações não devem herdar a culpa dos erros passados.

herdar o vício

— To develop a bad habit that was common in the family.

Ele herdou o vício do jogo do seu tio.

herdar a coragem

— To possess the same bravery as one's predecessors.

Ela herdou a coragem de sua mãe, que era uma lutadora.

herdar o cargo

— To take over a job or position formerly held by a relative.

Ele herdou o cargo de zelador do prédio.

herdar o juízo

— To have the same good sense or wisdom as a parent.

Graças a Deus, o rapaz herdou o juízo da mãe.

herdar a casa de família

— To become the owner of the ancestral family home.

Foi uma grande responsabilidade herdar a casa de família.

Se confunde a menudo con

herdar vs adotar

Adopting is a choice; inheriting is usually a result of birth or a will.

herdar vs ganhar

Ganhar is to win or earn; herdar is specifically from a predecessor.

herdar vs comprar

Comprar involves paying money; herdar is receiving it.

Modismos y expresiones

"herdar os pecados de alguém"

— To suffer the consequences of someone else's wrongdoings.

O filho acabou por herdar os pecados do pai perante a comunidade.

Literary/Religious

"herdar uma batata quente"

— To inherit a very difficult or problematic situation that no one wants to deal with.

O novo gerente herdou uma batata quente com aquela greve.

Informal

"herdar a coroa"

— To take over a position of high authority or leadership.

Depois da reforma do CEO, quem vai herdar a coroa?

Metaphorical

"herdar o mundo"

— To have great success or a bright future ahead.

Com esse talento, tu vais herdar o mundo.

Informal/Encouraging

"herdar de mãos beijadas"

— To inherit something very easily, without any effort at all.

Ele herdou aquela empresa de mãos beijadas.

Informal

"herdar o fardo"

— To take on a heavy responsibility left by someone else.

Ela herdou o fardo de sustentar toda a família sozinha.

Neutral

"herdar os louros"

— To receive the praise or benefits for something someone else started.

O novo treinador herdou os louros do trabalho do anterior.

Neutral

"herdar a má fama"

— To be viewed negatively because of the reputation of one's family.

É difícil para ele, pois herdou a má fama do pai na vila.

Neutral

"herdar o espírito"

— To adopt the same mindset or attitude as a predecessor.

A equipa herdou o espírito combativo do seu antigo capitão.

Neutral

"herdar o silêncio"

— To maintain a family tradition of not speaking about certain topics.

Naquela casa, todos herdaram o silêncio sobre o passado.

Literary

Fácil de confundir

herdar vs legar

Both involve inheritance.

Legar is the action of the person giving (leaving a legacy), while herdar is the action of the person receiving.

O avô legou o relógio; o neto herdou o relógio.

herdar vs suceder

Both involve taking over from someone.

Suceder is often about positions, titles, or a sequence in time, whereas herdar is about the assets or traits themselves.

Ele sucedeu ao rei e herdou o castelo.

herdar vs receber

Both involve getting something.

Receber is a general verb for receiving anything; herdar is specific to generational transmission.

Recebi uma carta; herdei uma fortuna.

herdar vs obter

Both mean to get something.

Obter usually implies effort or a specific transaction, while herdar is a passive reception due to family ties.

Ele obteve o diploma; ele herdou a inteligência.

herdar vs adquirir

Both mean to come into possession of something.

Adquirir is broader and can include buying or learning; herdar is strictly through lineage.

Ela adquiriu uma nova competência; ela herdou os olhos azuis.

Patrones de oraciones

Eu herdei [Object].

Eu herdei a casa.

[Subject] herdou [Object] de [Person].

Ele herdou o carro do pai.

Se eu herdar [Object], eu [Verb].

Se eu herdar o dinheiro, eu viajo.

[Object] foi herdado/a por [Person].

A joia foi herdada pela filha.

Ao herdar [Object], [Subject] [Verb].

Ao herdar a empresa, ele mudou as regras.

Diz-se que [Subject] herdou [Abstract Concept].

Diz-se que a nação herdou a melancolia dos poetas.

Tu herdaste [Trait] da tua [Relative]?

Tu herdaste os olhos da tua mãe?

Nós herdamos a responsabilidade de [Infinitive].

Nós herdamos a responsabilidade de cuidar do jardim.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

herança (inheritance/legacy)

herdeiro (heir)

hereditariedade (heredity)

herdamento (the act of inheriting - less common)

deserdamento (disinheritance)

Verbos

herdar (to inherit)

deserdar (to disinherit)

reherdar (to inherit again - rare)

Adjetivos

hereditário (hereditary)

herdado (inherited)

herdável (inheritable)

Relacionado

sucessão (succession)

testamento (will)

espólio (estate)

legado (legacy)

gene (gene)

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

Very high in both spoken and written Portuguese.

Errores comunes

Eu erdei a casa. → Eu herdei a casa.
You forgot the silent 'H' in writing.
Ele herdou para o filho. → Ele deixou para o filho / O filho herdou dele.
'Herdar' is for the receiver, not the giver.
Eu herdei do a minha mãe. → Eu herdei da minha mãe.
Incorrect contraction of the preposition 'de'.
Pronouncing the 'H' like 'H' in 'House'. → Pronouncing it like 'E' in 'Egg'.
The 'H' is always silent in Portuguese.
Eu ganhei os olhos do meu pai. → Eu herdei os olhos do meu pai.
'Ganhar' implies winning or receiving a gift; 'herdar' is for genetic traits.

Consejos

Watch the Prepositions

Always use 'de' when saying who you inherited from. Don't forget to contract it: 'do pai', 'da mãe'.

Silent H

Ignore the 'H' completely. Start the word with an 'E' sound, like in the word 'egg'.

Use for Traits

Don't just use 'herdar' for money. Use it for 'olhos' (eyes), 'cabelo' (hair), and 'feitio' (temperament).

Metaphorical Use

You can 'herdar' a problem or a situation at work. It's very common in business and politics.

Keep the H

Even though you don't say it, you must write the 'H'. 'Erdar' is incorrect spelling.

Simple Past

The most common form is the past: 'herdei', 'herdou', 'herdaram'. Focus on mastering these.

Suceder vs Herdar

Use 'suceder' for titles (like King) and 'herdar' for the actual property (like the Palace).

Family Pride

Using 'herdar' when talking about family traits is often seen as a compliment or a strong family connection.

Vowel Linking

Because 'herdar' starts with a vowel sound, it often links to the word before it. 'Ele_herdou' sounds like one word.

Daily Life

Look in the mirror and say one thing you 'herdaste' from your parents to practice the verb.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of an 'Heir' (which also has a silent H). An Heir is someone who will 'Her-dar' (Inherit) the family 'Her-itage'.

Asociación visual

Visualize a family tree where a golden line flows from a grandfather's hand down to a grandchild's hand, carrying a bag of coins and a pair of glasses (representing both money and traits).

Word Web

Herança Herdeiro Hereditário Família Dinheiro Genes Testamento Legado

Desafío

Try to write three sentences about things you inherited: one physical object, one physical trait (like eyes), and one personality trait. Use the past tense 'herdei'.

Origen de la palabra

From the Latin verb 'hereditare', which means 'to be an heir' or 'to inherit'. This Latin root is also the source of the English word 'inherit' and the French 'hériter'.

Significado original: The original Latin meaning focused strictly on the legal succession of property and status within a family line.

Romance language family, derived from Vulgar Latin.

Contexto cultural

Be careful when discussing inheritance in a group, as it can be a sensitive topic related to death, family disputes, or economic inequality.

English speakers often use 'get' or 'take after' for traits. In Portuguese, 'herdar' is the more precise and common verb for both.

The parable of the 'Filho Pródigo' (Prodigal Son) who asks to 'herdar' his portion early. The Beatitudes: 'Os mansos herdarão a terra' (The meek shall inherit the earth). Eça de Queirós' novels often feature characters who 'herdam' fortunes and the social problems that come with them.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Family History

De quem herdas-te isso?
Herdei do meu avô.
É uma joia herdada.
Tradição herdada.

Legal/Financial

Direito a herdar.
Herdar bens imóveis.
Herdar dívidas.
Processo de herdar.

Medical/Genetics

Herdar uma doença.
Traços herdados.
Herdar genes recessivos.
Predisposição herdada.

Politics/Business

Herdar o cargo.
Herdar a crise.
Empresa herdada.
Herdar o poder.

Personality

Herdar o génio.
Herdar a calma.
Herdar a teimosia.
Talento herdado.

Inicios de conversación

"O que é que tu achas que herdaste da tua mãe?"

"Gostarias de herdar uma casa antiga no campo?"

"Achas que é mais importante herdar dinheiro ou valores morais?"

"Quem é que vai herdar os teus livros favoritos um dia?"

"Já herdaste alguma coisa de que não gostasses?"

Temas para diario

Escreve sobre um objeto que herdaste e porque é que ele é importante para ti.

Descreve as características físicas que herdaste dos teus antepassados.

Se pudesses herdar um talento de qualquer pessoa na história, o que escolherias?

Reflete sobre a ideia de 'herdar problemas' das gerações passadas.

Como te sentirias se herdasses uma grande empresa amanhã?

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

Mostly yes in a legal sense, but it's used for genetic traits (like hair color) while everyone is still alive.

It is exactly the same: 'herdar'. The usage and meaning are identical in all Portuguese dialects.

Yes, absolutely. You start the sound with the vowel 'e'. Pronouncing the 'H' is a common mistake for English speakers.

Yes, if they leave you something in their will, you 'herda' from them, even if you aren't related.

'Herdar' is the verb (to inherit), and 'herança' is the noun (inheritance).

Yes, it follows the standard conjugation for verbs ending in -ar.

Unfortunately, yes. In Portuguese, you can 'herdar dívidas' from a deceased relative's estate.

You say: 'Eu herdei o nariz da minha mãe'.

It is 'herdamos'. Example: 'Nós herdamos a casa'.

Not exactly, but people might use 'ficar com as coisas de...' (to keep the things of...) in very casual talk.

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