At the A1 level, you don't need to use the word 'léguer' very often, but you should recognize it as a special way of saying 'donner' (to give) or 'laisser' (to leave). Think of it as 'giving something to someone after you die.' At this stage, just remember that it is a formal word used for big things like houses or lots of money. You might see it in a simple story about a rich king or a grandmother. The most important thing for an A1 learner is to understand the basic idea: Person A gives something to Person B for the future. You don't need to worry about the difficult spelling changes (é to è) yet, but knowing that 'léguer' is about family and gifts will help you understand more complex French texts later on. It is a 'serious' version of giving. For example, 'Le grand-père lègue sa montre à son petit-fils' (The grandfather leaves his watch to his grandson). This is a simple sentence that shows the act of giving something important to a family member. By learning this word now, you are building a foundation for understanding how French people talk about their history and their family property.
At the A2 level, you are starting to learn more specific verbs to replace general ones like 'donner.' 'Léguer' is a perfect example of this. You should use 'léguer' when you are talking about a will (un testament) or inheritance. You should also start to notice the grammar: 'léguer [something] à [someone].' At A2, you should be able to conjugate it in the present tense, being careful with the accent: 'je lègue,' 'nous léguons.' You might use it in a project about your family history or when discussing what is important to pass down to the next generation. It’s also a good time to learn the difference between 'léguer' and 'hériter.' If you give the money, you 'léguer.' If you get the money, you 'hériter.' This distinction is key for clear communication. You might say, 'Ma tante veut léguer ses bijoux à ma sœur.' This shows you understand the formal nature of the gift. A2 learners should also recognize the word in simple news articles or cultural notes about French heritage. It's a word that adds a layer of maturity to your vocabulary, moving you beyond the basic 'I give' to 'I bequeath.'
At the B1 level, you can use 'léguer' in a more abstract and figurative way. You aren't just talking about houses and cars anymore; you are talking about values, culture, and problems. For example, you might discuss the environmental crisis and say, 'Nous léguons une planète polluée aux générations futures.' This shows a higher level of expression. You should also be comfortable using 'léguer' in various tenses, including the passé composé ('il a légué') and the futur simple ('il léguera'). At B1, you should also understand the cultural importance of 'le legs' (the legacy/bequest), which is the noun form. You will encounter 'léguer' in more complex texts, such as editorials or literature, where it might describe a writer leaving their work to the public. You should also be aware of synonyms like 'transmettre' and know when 'léguer' is the more appropriate, more formal choice. Using 'léguer' correctly in a discussion about society or history will significantly improve your fluency and make your French sound more natural and sophisticated. It's about expressing the weight of the past on the present.
At the B2 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of 'léguer.' You can use it to debate complex topics like inheritance taxes or the ethics of passing down wealth. You should be able to use the passive voice effectively: 'Cette tradition a été léguée par nos ancêtres.' You will also notice 'léguer' in legal and administrative contexts, and you should be able to distinguish it from 'céder' or 'octroyer.' At B2, your vocabulary should include the related noun 'un légataire' (a beneficiary/legatee). You are expected to use the word with precision, recognizing that 'léguer' implies a conscious, often legal, decision. You might use it in a formal essay to discuss how a historical event 'a légué un sentiment d'insécurité' (bequeathed a feeling of insecurity) to a nation. This abstract usage is a hallmark of B2 proficiency. You should also be comfortable with the subjunctive: 'Il est important qu'il lègue ses biens de manière équitable.' Mastery of 'léguer' at this level means you can handle both its technical legal meaning and its rich metaphorical possibilities in professional and academic settings.
At the C1 level, you use 'léguer' with the precision of a native speaker. you understand the legal nuances, such as the difference between a 'legs universel' and a 'legs à titre particulier' (though you may not be a lawyer, you recognize the terminology). You can use 'léguer' in highly sophisticated literary or philosophical arguments. You might analyze how an author 'lègue à la postérité une œuvre inachevée' (leaves an unfinished work to posterity). Your use of the word is effortless, and you can play with its connotations to create specific rhetorical effects. You also understand the historical weight of the word in French law and how it has shaped French society's view of family and property. At C1, you are also aware of rare or archaic uses of the word in classical literature. You can discuss the nuances between 'léguer,' 'délaisser,' and 'vouer' in complex contexts. Your ability to use 'léguer' to describe the transmission of intangible heritage, such as 'le génie d'une langue' (the genius of a language), demonstrates a deep cultural and linguistic integration. You are no longer just using a verb; you are wielding a concept.
At the C2 level, 'léguer' is a tool for masterful expression. You can use it in academic research, legal drafting, or high-level diplomacy. You have a complete grasp of its etymological roots and how its meaning has evolved from the Latin 'legare.' You can navigate the most complex grammatical structures involving 'léguer' without hesitation, including its use in the past anterior or the imperfect subjunctive in literary writing. You can critique the way 'léguer' is used in political rhetoric to manipulate feelings of national identity or generational guilt. You understand the profound philosophical implications of 'léguer'—the act of defining oneself through what one leaves behind. Whether you are discussing the 'legs' of the Enlightenment or the specific clauses of a complex international treaty, you use 'léguer' and its derivatives with absolute accuracy and stylistic flair. At this level, the word is part of a vast, interconnected web of vocabulary that allows you to express the most subtle shades of meaning regarding time, death, and the continuity of human civilization.

léguer 30초 만에

  • Léguer is the formal French verb for bequeathing assets or leaving a legacy through a will or deliberate transmission.
  • It is primarily used in legal contexts regarding inheritance but has a strong figurative use for passing down values.
  • The verb follows a specific spelling pattern where the 'é' changes to 'è' in certain present tense forms.
  • It is a key word for discussing family history, national heritage, and the responsibilities we have toward future generations.
The French verb léguer is a sophisticated yet essential term that primarily describes the act of bequeathing or leaving property, money, or assets to someone in a legal will. While it is deeply rooted in the legal and testamentary world, its usage extends far beyond the mere distribution of physical wealth. At its core, léguer is about the intentional transfer of something from one generation to the next, often carrying the weight of history, emotion, and responsibility. In a formal context, you will encounter this word in discussions regarding succession (inheritance) and patrimoine (heritage). However, in a more figurative sense, French speakers use léguer to talk about passing down values, traditions, or even physical traits. For instance, a grandfather might be said to léguer his passion for music to his granddaughter, or a philosopher might léguer a revolutionary theory to future scholars. The word implies a sense of finality and legacy—it is not a simple gift given during one's lifetime (which would be offrir or donner), but rather a deliberate act of ensuring one's influence or possessions endure after they are gone. Understanding léguer requires recognizing the French cultural emphasis on family continuity and the preservation of the family estate. Historically, French law, particularly the Napoleonic Code, has strict rules about how one can léguer their assets, ensuring that direct descendants receive a significant portion. This cultural backdrop makes the word feel more formal and serious than its English counterpart 'to leave.' When you use léguer, you are speaking about the bridge between the past and the future.
Legal Usage
Used by lawyers (notaires) to describe the formal designation of beneficiaries in a testament.
Figurative Usage
Used to describe the transmission of non-material things like culture, wisdom, or values.

Il a choisi de léguer l'intégralité de sa collection d'art au musée du Louvre.

Nos ancêtres nous ont légué une terre riche mais fragile.

Historical Context
The term stems from the Latin 'legare', which meant to send as an ambassador or to entrust a charge, highlighting the 'entrusting' nature of the word.

Elle souhaite léguer son savoir-faire aux jeunes générations.

Le testament stipule qu'il doit léguer la maison familiale à son fils aîné.

Peut-on vraiment léguer ses dettes ?

Using léguer correctly requires attention to both its grammatical structure and its semantic weight. Grammatically, it is a transitive verb, meaning it takes a direct object (the thing being bequeathed) and often an indirect object (the person receiving it). The standard construction is léguer quelque chose à quelqu'un. For example, 'Il lègue son piano à son neveu' (He bequeaths his piano to his nephew). One of the most important things for learners is to master the spelling change that occurs in the present tense. Because the verb has an 'é' in the stem, the accent changes to 'è' when the ending is silent. This means you write je lègue, tu lègues, il/elle lègue, and ils/elles lèguent. However, for nous léguons and vous léguez, the 'é' remains because the endings are pronounced. This subtle shift is a common point of confusion for students but is essential for written accuracy. In terms of sentence placement, léguer usually appears in the infinitive after modal verbs like vouloir (to want) or pouvoir (to be able to), as in 'Je veux léguer mes livres à la bibliothèque.' It is also frequently used in the passive voice in legal documents: 'Les biens ont été légués à l'État.' When using it figuratively, the structure remains the same, but the objects become abstract. You might say, 'L'histoire nous a légué de grandes leçons.' Here, history is the subject, and lessons are the object. This versatility allows you to use léguer in both a lawyer's office and a philosophical debate. It’s also worth noting the difference between léguer and hériter. While léguer is the action of the giver, hériter is the action of the receiver. You léguer to someone, but you hériter from someone (hériter de). Mixing these up is a common mistake for English speakers who might think of 'leaving' and 'getting' as interchangeable in some contexts.
Direct Object
The item being left behind (fortune, house, values).
Indirect Object
The recipient, introduced by the preposition 'à'.

Ma grand-mère m'a légué son collier de perles.

Nous léguons un monde difficile à nos enfants.

L'écrivain a légué ses manuscrits inédits à la nation.

Passive Construction
Ce château fut légué à la ville en 1920.

Il est important de savoir à qui léguer ses responsabilités.

You will encounter léguer in a variety of real-world scenarios, ranging from the highly formal to the deeply philosophical. In daily life, the most common place to hear it is in the context of successions (inheritance). If you are watching a French news report about a wealthy individual's death, or a drama series like Lupin or Dix pour cent, the word often crops up when discussing a will (un testament). Lawyers, known as notaires in France, use this word constantly when advising clients on how to distribute their estate. You might hear, 'Il a décidé de léguer ses biens à une fondation charitable.' Beyond the legal realm, the word is a favorite in political and environmental discourse. Politicians often speak about the debt or the environment we are going to léguer to future generations. For example, 'Quel monde allons-nous léguer à nos enfants ?' (What world are we going to leave to our children?). This usage highlights the moral weight of the word. In literature and history, léguer is used to describe the transmission of culture and knowledge. A teacher might talk about how the Greeks légué democracy to the Western world. In museums, you will often see plaques stating that an exhibit was légué par (bequeathed by) a specific donor. It is also used in a medical or genetic context, though less frequently than transmettre, to describe hereditary traits. If you are reading a biography of a famous French figure like Victor Hugo or Marie Curie, you will almost certainly see léguer used to describe their lasting impact on French society. Hearing this word signals that the conversation has moved from the trivial to the significant; it is a word of legacy, memory, and the long-term future.
In the Media
Often used in headlines about celebrity wills or environmental crises.
In History Class
Used to discuss the influence of past civilizations on modern society.

Le milliardaire a choisi de léguer sa fortune à la recherche médicale.

Les Romains nous ont légué le droit et l'architecture.

Il est triste de ne rien avoir à léguer.

In Legal Documents
'Je soussigné, lègue par la présente...' (I, the undersigned, hereby bequeath...)

La nature nous a été léguée par nos parents, mais nous l'empruntons à nos enfants.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with léguer is confusing it with the English verb 'to leave.' While 'to leave' can mean 'léguer' in the context of a will, it also means 'to depart' (partir) or 'to leave something behind' (laisser). You cannot use léguer to say 'I left my keys on the table'; for that, you must use laisser. Léguer is strictly for the permanent transfer of ownership or legacy. Another common error involves the spelling and pronunciation. As mentioned, the accent change from é to è is crucial. Writing 'je légue' instead of 'je lègue' is a sign of a beginner. Furthermore, learners often struggle with the preposition. It is always léguer quelque chose à quelqu'un. Using 'pour' (for) instead of 'à' (to) is a common anglicism. For example, 'Il a légué sa maison pour son fils' is incorrect; it should be 'à son fils.' Another nuance is the confusion between léguer and transmettre. While they are synonyms, transmettre is broader and can apply to diseases, radio signals, or simple messages, whereas léguer retains its heavy, testamentary connotation. Finally, avoid using léguer when you mean 'to inherit.' Remember: 'Il me lègue' means 'He bequeaths to me,' while 'J'hérite de lui' means 'I inherit from him.' Mixing up the direction of the transaction is a very common pitfall.
Wrong Word Choice
Using 'léguer' for leaving keys or leaving a room. (Use 'laisser' or 'quitter').
Preposition Error
Saying 'léguer pour' instead of 'léguer à'.

Incorrect: J'ai légué mon parapluie au restaurant. (Correct: J'ai laissé...)

Incorrect: Il légue sa voiture. (Correct: Il lègue...)

Confusion with Hériter
Don't say 'Je lègue de mon père' when you mean 'J'hérite de mon père'.

Attention: Le verbe léguer demande toujours un testament ou une intention de transmission durable.

To truly master léguer, it is helpful to understand the constellation of related verbs in French. The most direct synonym is transmettre (to transmit). While léguer specifically implies a will or a legacy, transmettre is more versatile and can be used for passing a ball in sports, sending a message, or spreading a virus. Another close relative is céder (to yield or transfer). Céder is often used in business contexts, such as 'céder ses parts' (to sell or hand over one's shares). It implies giving up something, often for a price or under pressure, whereas léguer is usually a generous or structured act of succession. Donner (to give) is the simplest alternative, but it lacks the 'after death' or 'for the future' connotation of léguer. If you want to sound more formal or academic, you might use octroyer (to grant), though this is usually for rights or privileges rather than physical property. In a poetic or high-literary context, délaisser can sometimes mean to leave behind, but it usually carries a negative connotation of abandonment. Laisser is the most common everyday alternative, but as noted before, it is much less specific. Finally, investir (to invest) can sometimes be used figuratively when talking about passing on responsibilities. Understanding these nuances allows you to choose the exact word that fits your context, whether you are writing a legal document, a personal letter, or a political speech.
Léguer vs Transmettre
Léguer is for inheritance; Transmettre is for any kind of passing along.
Léguer vs Céder
Léguer is usually free and by will; Céder is often a business transaction.

On peut léguer une maison, mais on transmet une passion.

Le roi a octroyé des terres à ses fidèles.

Il a dû céder sa place au conseil d'administration.

Léguer vs Laisser
Léguer is formal and permanent; Laisser is general and often temporary.

Elle a laissé un mot sur le frigo.

How Formal Is It?

재미있는 사실

The word 'delegate' comes from the same Latin root 'legare'. When you delegate a task, you are 'sending' it to someone else, just as when you 'léguer' property.

발음 가이드

UK /le.ɡe/
US /le.ɡe/
The stress is on the final syllable 'gué'.
라임이 맞는 단어
manger parler jouer aimer donner passer aller trouver
자주 하는 실수
  • Pronouncing the 'r' at the end like an English 'r'.
  • Confusing the 'é' with an 'è' in syllables that aren't silent.
  • Making the 'g' soft like a 'j' sound.
  • Stressing the first syllable instead of the second.
  • Nasalizing the 'en' in 'léguent' (it's silent).

난이도

독해 2/5

Easy to recognize because of the English 'legacy'.

쓰기 4/5

Difficult due to the é/è accent changes.

말하기 3/5

Requires practice with the hard 'g' and 'é' sound.

듣기 2/5

Generally clear in formal speech.

다음에 무엇을 배울까

선수 학습

donner laisser famille argent mort

다음에 배울 것

hériter testament notaire succession patrimoine

고급

usufruit nue-propriété indivision libéralité dévolution

알아야 할 문법

Stem-changing verbs in -é_er

Léguer becomes lègue (accent shift).

Indirect object with 'à'

Léguer à son fils.

Passive voice with 'être'

La fortune a été léguée.

Infinitive after verbs of desire

Je veux léguer.

Agreement of the past participle with 'avoir'

La maison qu'il a léguée (agreement with 'maison').

수준별 예문

1

Le roi lègue son château.

The king leaves his castle.

Simple present tense.

2

Elle lègue ses livres à son amie.

She leaves her books to her friend.

Direct object: books.

3

Je veux léguer ma montre.

I want to leave my watch.

Infinitive after 'vouloir'.

4

Il lègue de l'argent.

He leaves some money.

Partitive article used.

5

Ma mère lègue sa maison.

My mother leaves her house.

Possessive adjective 'sa'.

6

Nous léguons nos jouets.

We leave our toys.

No accent change for 'nous'.

7

Tu lègues ton vélo ?

Are you leaving your bike?

Question form.

8

Ils lèguent un jardin.

They leave a garden.

Third person plural.

1

Il a décidé de léguer sa fortune à un hôpital.

He decided to leave his fortune to a hospital.

Passé composé with infinitive.

2

Ma grand-mère m'a légué ce collier.

My grandmother left me this necklace.

Indirect object pronoun 'm''.

3

Voulez-vous léguer vos meubles à vos enfants ?

Do you want to leave your furniture to your children?

Inversion for question.

4

Elle ne veut pas léguer ses dettes.

She doesn't want to leave her debts.

Negative construction.

5

Le vieil homme lègue son secret à son fils.

The old man leaves his secret to his son.

Figurative use.

6

Nous léguons cette terre à la communauté.

We leave this land to the community.

Present tense 'nous'.

7

Est-ce qu'il va léguer son entreprise ?

Is he going to leave his company?

Futur proche.

8

Elle a légué ses tableaux au musée local.

She left her paintings to the local museum.

Agreement with 'tableaux' not needed here.

1

Nous devons réfléchir à ce que nous léguons aux générations futures.

We must think about what we are leaving to future generations.

Relative pronoun 'ce que'.

2

L'artiste a légué une œuvre immense à la postérité.

The artist left an immense body of work to posterity.

Formal vocabulary 'postérité'.

3

Il est rare de léguer une telle responsabilité à un inconnu.

It is rare to leave such a responsibility to a stranger.

Impersonal 'il est rare de'.

4

Elle a légué ses archives personnelles à la bibliothèque nationale.

She left her personal archives to the national library.

Plural noun 'archives'.

5

Le savant a légué ses découvertes au monde entier.

The scientist left his discoveries to the whole world.

Direct object 'découvertes'.

6

Peut-on léguer ses valeurs sans léguer ses biens ?

Can one leave one's values without leaving one's property?

Abstract vs Concrete.

7

Il a légué son nom à une rue de la ville.

He left his name to a street in the city.

Metaphorical use.

8

Elle lèguera son savoir à ses étudiants.

She will leave her knowledge to her students.

Futur simple.

1

Le testament stipule qu'il lègue tous ses droits d'auteur à une association.

The will stipulates that he leaves all his copyrights to an association.

Subordinate clause with 'que'.

2

Il est crucial de ne pas léguer un fardeau financier à ses héritiers.

It is crucial not to leave a financial burden to one's heirs.

Noun 'héritiers'.

3

La Révolution nous a légué les principes de liberté et d'égalité.

The Revolution left us the principles of liberty and equality.

Historical subject.

4

Bien qu'il soit pauvre, il a beaucoup à léguer sur le plan moral.

Although he is poor, he has a lot to leave on a moral level.

Conjunction 'bien que' + subjunctive.

5

L'entreprise fut léguée au bras droit du fondateur.

The company was left to the founder's right-hand man.

Passive voice with 'fut'.

6

Elle a choisi de léguer son corps à la science.

She chose to leave her body to science.

Idiomatic expression.

7

Le poète lègue à ses lecteurs une vision du monde unique.

The poet leaves his readers a unique vision of the world.

Literary context.

8

Il a légué une situation politique complexe à son successeur.

He left a complex political situation to his successor.

Noun 'successeur'.

1

Cette civilisation a légué des vestiges architecturaux d'une beauté saisissante.

This civilization left architectural remains of striking beauty.

Sophisticated adjectives.

2

Il importe de savoir ce que l'on souhaite léguer au-delà des biens matériels.

It is important to know what one wishes to leave beyond material goods.

Impersonal 'il importe de'.

3

Le défunt avait pris soin de léguer ses parts sociales à ses employés.

The deceased had taken care to leave his company shares to his employees.

Pluperfect tense.

4

La langue française nous a été léguée comme un trésor à protéger.

The French language was left to us as a treasure to protect.

Passive voice with 'nous'.

5

Il a légué une œuvre qui continue de hanter les esprits.

He left a body of work that continues to haunt minds.

Relative clause.

6

Le mécène a légué sa collection sous condition d'inaliénabilité.

The patron left his collection under the condition of inalienability.

Legal terminology.

7

L'histoire ne lègue pas seulement des victoires, mais aussi des traumatismes.

History does not only leave victories, but also traumas.

Negation 'ne... pas seulement'.

8

Elle a légué son domaine à une fondation pour la protection de la nature.

She left her estate to a foundation for nature protection.

Noun 'domaine'.

1

L'acte de léguer s'inscrit dans une volonté de transcendance temporelle.

The act of bequeathing is part of a desire for temporal transcendence.

Philosophical register.

2

Le souverain a légué un royaume morcelé par les guerres intestines.

The sovereign left a kingdom fragmented by internal wars.

Complex historical description.

3

Il est ardu de léguer une pensée philosophique sans qu'elle ne soit déformée.

It is difficult to leave a philosophical thought without it being distorted.

Subjunctive with 'sans que'.

4

La jurisprudence a légué des principes fondamentaux au droit moderne.

Case law has left fundamental principles to modern law.

Specialized legal subject.

5

Elle a légué un héritage immatériel dont la valeur est inestimable.

She left an intangible heritage whose value is inestimable.

Relative pronoun 'dont'.

6

Le testament, en léguant la fortune à l'ennemi, provoqua un scandale.

The will, by bequeathing the fortune to the enemy, caused a scandal.

Present participle.

7

Léguer n'est pas seulement donner, c'est aussi imposer une mémoire.

To bequeath is not just to give; it is also to impose a memory.

Infinitive as subject.

8

Il a légué à la postérité le soin de juger ses actes.

He left to posterity the task of judging his actions.

Abstract direct object.

자주 쓰는 조합

léguer sa fortune
léguer ses biens
léguer un héritage
léguer à la postérité
léguer son corps
léguer ses dettes
léguer un nom
léguer des valeurs
léguer une maison
léguer par testament

자주 쓰는 구문

léguer à titre universel

— To leave one's entire estate to one or more people.

Il a choisi de léguer à titre universel à sa femme.

léguer son savoir-faire

— To pass on professional skills to others.

L'artisan veut léguer son savoir-faire à son apprenti.

léguer une planète propre

— A common environmental slogan about the future.

C'est notre devoir de léguer une planète propre.

léguer ses mémoires

— To write down and leave one's life story.

Il a passé dix ans à léguer ses mémoires.

léguer un fardeau

— To leave a difficult responsibility or problem.

La guerre a légué un fardeau à la nation.

léguer ses parts

— To leave company shares to someone.

Il a légué ses parts à ses enfants.

léguer un secret

— To tell a secret to someone before dying.

Elle a légué un secret de famille à son petit-fils.

léguer sa collection

— To leave a group of collected items to a museum.

Il a légué sa collection de timbres au club.

léguer un empire

— To leave a large business or kingdom.

Napoléon a légué un empire en ruines.

léguer la gestion

— To hand over the management of something.

Il est temps de léguer la gestion de l'hôtel.

자주 혼동되는 단어

léguer vs Laisser

Laisser is for casual leaving; léguer is for wills.

léguer vs Hériter

Hériter is to receive; léguer is to give.

léguer vs Reléguer

Reléguer means to banish or demote, not to bequeath.

관용어 및 표현

"léguer le flambeau"

— To pass the torch; to hand over leadership or a mission.

Le directeur a légué le flambeau à sa remplaçante.

metaphorical
"léguer à la rue"

— To leave someone with nothing (rare).

Il a tout gâché et a légué ses enfants à la rue.

informal
"léguer son âme à Dieu"

— A poetic way to describe dying.

Il a légué son âme à Dieu après une longue vie.

literary
"léguer le tablier"

— To stop working or resign (similar to 'rendre le tablier').

Le chef a légué le tablier à son second.

informal
"léguer un nid de guêpes"

— To leave a very complicated or dangerous situation.

Le ministre sortant a légué un nid de guêpes à son successeur.

figurative
"léguer ses vieux os"

— To die in a certain place.

Il est revenu au village pour y léguer ses vieux os.

informal
"léguer une patate chaude"

— To pass on a difficult problem (hot potato).

Il m'a légué cette patate chaude juste avant de partir.

informal
"léguer la place"

— To give up one's position to someone else.

Il faut savoir léguer la place aux jeunes.

neutral
"léguer son venin"

— To leave behind a toxic influence or bitterness.

Même après son départ, il a légué son venin dans l'équipe.

figurative
"léguer une page blanche"

— To leave a situation where everything is yet to be done.

Le nouveau maire a trouvé une page blanche léguée par son prédécesseur.

metaphorical

혼동하기 쉬운

léguer vs Laisser

Both translate to 'leave' in English.

Léguer is formal and testamentary; laisser is general.

J'ai laissé mon sac, mais j'ai légué ma maison.

léguer vs Hériter

Both relate to inheritance.

Léguer is the giver's action; hériter is the receiver's.

Il me lègue son piano, donc j'hérite du piano.

léguer vs Transmettre

Both mean passing something on.

Léguer is specific to wills; transmettre is broader.

Il transmet un virus, mais il lègue son argent.

léguer vs Céder

Both involve transferring property.

Céder is often a sale or transfer while alive; léguer is via will.

Il cède son bail, mais il lègue son terrain.

léguer vs Donner

Both mean giving.

Léguer is specifically after death.

Je te donne ce livre maintenant; je te lègue ma maison pour plus tard.

문장 패턴

A1

S + léguer + O

Il lègue sa montre.

A2

S + léguer + O + à + P

Il lègue sa montre à son fils.

B1

S + vouloir + léguer + O

Je veux léguer mes livres.

B1

S + a légué + O

Elle a légué son talent.

B2

O + a été légué + à + P

Le château a été légué à la ville.

B2

S + décide de + léguer

Il décide de léguer sa fortune.

C1

En léguant + O, S + V

En léguant ses biens, il a surpris tout le monde.

C2

S + ne saurait léguer + O

On ne saurait léguer la sagesse.

어휘 가족

명사

le legs (the legacy/bequest)
le légataire (the legatee/beneficiary)
le légateur (the testator/bequeather)

동사

léguer

형용사

légataire (relating to a legacy)

관련

l'héritage
le testament
la succession
le notaire
la transmission

사용법

frequency

Common in legal, historical, and environmental discussions.

자주 하는 실수
  • Using 'léguer' for 'laisser' (departing). Partir/Quitter

    You don't 'léguer' a room; you 'quitter' it.

  • Spelling 'je légue' with an acute accent. Je lègue

    The grave accent is mandatory for silent endings.

  • Saying 'léguer de mon père'. Hériter de mon père

    Léguer is what the father does, not what the son does.

  • Using 'léguer pour' instead of 'léguer à'. Léguer à

    The recipient is an indirect object introduced by 'à'.

  • Pronouncing the 'u' in 'léguer'. le-gay

    The 'u' is silent in French after 'g' before 'e' or 'i'.

Accent Shift

Remember: é -> è when the ending is silent (lègue, lègues, lèguent).

Legal Roots

Associate 'léguer' with 'legal' and 'legacy' to remember its meaning.

Family First

In France, 'léguer' is a serious family duty, not just a choice.

Hard G

The 'u' is just a shield for the 'g'. Never pronounce it.

Preposition

Always use 'à' for the recipient. 'Léguer à quelqu'un'.

Environment

Use it when talking about the planet we leave for the future.

Giver vs Receiver

Léguer = I give. Hériter = I get.

Figurative Power

Use it for abstract things like 'wisdom' to sound more poetic.

The Key

Visualize a key being légué to a child.

Noun Check

Learn 'un legs' at the same time as the verb.

암기하기

기억법

Léguer starts with 'L' for 'Legacy' and 'Legal'. Think of a lawyer (Legal) leaving a Legacy.

시각적 연상

Imagine a large, old-fashioned key being handed from an elderly hand to a young hand.

Word Web

Testament Héritage Notaire Bien Argent Famille Futur Mort

챌린지

Write three things you would like to léguer to your best friend one day.

어원

From the Latin verb 'legare', which meant 'to send as an ambassador' or 'to appoint by will'.

원래 의미: To entrust a mission or property to someone formally.

Romance (Latin root).

문화적 맥락

Be careful when using this word around people who have recently lost a loved one, as it is very closely tied to death.

In the US or UK, 'to leave' is more common than 'to bequeath' in casual speech, whereas 'léguer' is used even in semi-formal French conversations.

The testament of Louis XIV The will of Victor Hugo The legacy of the Lumière brothers

실생활에서 연습하기

실제 사용 상황

In a lawyer's office

  • Je souhaite léguer...
  • À qui léguer ?
  • Léguer par testament
  • Les biens légués

Talking about history

  • Ce que l'histoire nous a légué
  • Une culture léguée
  • Léguer un empire
  • Léguer des traditions

Environmental activism

  • Léguer une terre saine
  • Le monde que nous léguons
  • Ne rien léguer de toxique
  • Léguer un avenir

Family discussions

  • Léguer la maison
  • Léguer les bijoux de famille
  • Léguer ses souvenirs
  • Léguer une éducation

Literature/Art

  • Léguer une œuvre
  • Léguer ses manuscrits
  • Léguer à la postérité
  • Un style légué

대화 시작하기

"Qu'est-ce que vous aimeriez léguer aux générations futures ?"

"Pensez-vous qu'il soit important de léguer tous ses biens à sa famille ?"

"Quelle est la chose la plus précieuse que vos ancêtres vous ont léguée ?"

"Si vous étiez milliardaire, à qui choisiriez-vous de léguer votre fortune ?"

"Est-ce que l'on peut léguer une passion à ses enfants ?"

일기 주제

Décrivez un objet que vous possédez et que vous aimeriez léguer un jour. Pourquoi est-il spécial ?

Réfléchissez aux valeurs morales que vos parents vous ont léguées. Comment influencent-elles votre vie ?

Écrivez une lettre imaginaire où vous expliquez ce que vous voulez léguer à votre ville.

Analysez l'idée de 'léguer son corps à la science'. Quels sont les avantages et les inconvénients ?

Imaginez le monde dans 100 ans. Qu'est-ce que notre génération aura légué de positif ?

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

Primarily, yes. It refers to the instructions left in a will for after death. However, figuratively, you can 'léguer' a legacy while still alive.

Léguer is more formal and legal. Transmettre is more common and can be used for things like messages, balls in sports, or diseases.

It is always a hard 'g' like in 'goat'. The 'u' is silent and only exists to keep the 'g' hard before the 'e'.

No, you can only léguer property, rights, or abstract things like values. You cannot 'bequeath' a person.

The noun is 'un legs' (pronounced 'lè'). It means a bequest or legacy.

You use 'à'. For example: 'Il lègue sa fortune à sa fille.'

Yes, especially in news, history books, and legal contexts. It is not slangy or rare.

Technically, yes, in French law debts are part of the 'patrimoine' that is passed on to heirs.

This happens because the 'e' in the following syllable is silent. The 'é' becomes 'è' to reflect the change in pronunciation.

Yes, but it sounds very formal. 'Léguer un stylo' sounds a bit dramatic unless it's a very special pen.

셀프 테스트 200 질문

writing

Write a sentence using 'léguer' and 'maison'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Describe what you want to léguer to the future generation.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Conjugate 'léguer' in the present tense for all subjects.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a formal sentence bequeathing a collection to a museum.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Explain the difference between 'léguer' and 'hériter' in French.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a sentence using 'léguer' in the future simple.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Create a slogan for the environment using 'léguer'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Use 'léguer' in the passive voice.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a short paragraph about a king who légué his kingdom.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Explain 'léguer son corps à la science' in your own words.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a sentence with 'nous' and 'léguer'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a sentence with 'ils' and 'léguer'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Use 'léguer' in a question about a will.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a sentence about history bequeathing something to us.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Describe a legal situation using the word 'légataire'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a sentence using 'léguer' and 'valeurs'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Use 'léguer' in the passé composé.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a sentence about a secret being légué.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Explain why the accent changes in 'je lègue'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a sentence using 'léguer' and 'postérité'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Pronounce: 'Je lègue ma fortune.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Pronounce: 'Nous léguons nos biens.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Pronounce: 'Ils lèrent' (Wait, is that correct? No, pronounce 'Ils lèguent').

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Explain orally: 'Qu'est-ce que vous voulez léguer ?'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Pronounce: 'Un legs important.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Pronounce: 'Léguer son corps à la science.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say: 'Ma grand-mère m'a légué ce collier.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say: 'Il lègue tout à la ville.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Pronounce: 'L'héritage légué.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say: 'Quel monde allons-nous léguer ?'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Pronounce the 'g' in 'léguer' correctly.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say: 'Je lègue mes livres à la bibliothèque.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say: 'Tu lègues ton vélo ?'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Pronounce: 'Le légataire universel.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say: 'Nous léguons nos traditions.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Pronounce: 'Léguer sa fortune.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say: 'Elle a légué ses archives.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say: 'Il lègue son secret.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Pronounce: 'L'acte de léguer.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say: 'Je ne lègue rien.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and write: 'Il lègue sa maison.'

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and write: 'Nous léguons nos valeurs.'

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and write: 'Elle a légué ses bijoux.'

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and write: 'Ils lèrent un secret.' (Correct to: 'Ils lèguent un secret.')

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and write: 'Je lègue tout à mon fils.'

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and write: 'Le testament lègue les biens.'

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and write: 'Quel héritage léguons-nous ?'

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and write: 'Il a légué sa collection au musée.'

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and identify the verb: 'Ma tante lègue son piano.'

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and identify the object: 'Il lègue sa fortune.'

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and identify the receiver: 'Je lègue mes livres à Marie.'

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and write: 'Le legs est prêt.'

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and write: 'Voulez-vous léguer votre corps ?'

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and write: 'Il lègue son nom à la rue.'

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and write: 'Nous léguons la paix.'

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

/ 200 correct

Perfect score!

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