विरासत में in 30 Seconds
- Means 'by inheritance' or 'as a legacy'.
- Used for property, genes, and cultural values.
- Commonly paired with the verb 'milna' (to receive).
- Essential for talking about family history and roots.
The Hindi phrase 'विरासत में' (virāsat mē̃) translates literally to 'in inheritance' or 'by way of legacy.' It is a compound adverbial phrase used to describe the acquisition of something—be it physical property, biological traits, or cultural values—from one's ancestors or predecessors. In the social fabric of India, where family lineage and ancestral roots hold profound significance, this phrase is used both in legal contexts and in everyday poetic descriptions of character.
- Literal Meaning
- Received as an heir; passed down through generations.
- Metaphorical Usage
- Used to describe talents, physical features, or even social burdens that one 'inherits' from their environment or parents.
When you use 'विरासत में,' you are highlighting that the object or quality was not earned through personal effort or purchased in a market; rather, it was bestowed upon the person by virtue of their birth or position in a lineage. It conveys a sense of continuity and history.
उसे यह विशाल हवेली विरासत में मिली है। (He received this massive mansion by inheritance.)
In a deeper sense, the term 'विरासत' (inheritance) comes from the Arabic root 'W-R-TH,' which relates to being an heir. In Hindi, adding the postposition 'में' (in) turns it into an adverbial phrase that explains the *how* of an acquisition. Whether you are talking about a king inheriting a throne or a child inheriting their father's temper, 'विरासत में' is the most appropriate and elegant choice.
Using 'विरासत में' requires understanding its placement within a sentence. Usually, it appears before the verb 'मिलना' (to receive). It functions as a description of the source of the object. For example, if you want to say 'I inherited this watch,' you would say 'मुझे यह घड़ी विरासत में मिली।' Note that the object (watch/घड़ी) determines the gender of the verb 'मिली' because it is a passive-style construction common in Hindi.
- Structure
- [Subject] + [Object] + विरासत में + [Verb (usually मिलना)]
संगीत की समझ उसे विरासत में मिली है। (An understanding of music was received by him by inheritance.)
It can also be used with abstract nouns like 'संस्कार' (values) or 'बुद्धि' (intelligence). If someone is naturally gifted at a craft because their parents were craftsmen, we say they got the skill 'विरासत में.' It is rarely used for things given during one's lifetime as a simple gift; for that, 'उपहार में' (as a gift) is used.
उन्हें अपनी दादी से यह गहना विरासत में मिला। (They received this jewelry from their grandmother by inheritance.)
You will encounter 'विरासत में' in three primary domains: legal/financial discussions, biological/medical contexts, and literary/cultural critiques. In legal settings, it refers to the transfer of property after death. In biological contexts, it refers to genetic traits. In cultural contexts, it refers to the transmission of traditions.
- Domain: Legal
- Used when discussing wills (वसीयत) and the division of ancestral property (पुश्तैनी संपत्ति).
- Domain: Biological
- Used to describe 'आनुवंशिक गुण' (hereditary traits) like eye color or height.
News reports regarding royal successions or the passing of business empires (like the Tatas or Ambanis) frequently use this phrase to describe the transition of power and assets.
Learners often confuse 'विरासत में' with 'उपहार में' (as a gift) or 'इनाम में' (as a reward). The key difference is the *death* of the previous owner or the *lineage* involved. You cannot receive something 'विरासत में' from a friend; it must be from an ancestor or a predecessor in a formal lineage.
- Mistake 1
- Using it for a birthday present. Correct: 'उपहार में मिला'. Incorrect: 'विरासत में मिला'.
- Mistake 2
- Omitting the 'में'. 'विरासत मिला' is grammatically incomplete. The postposition 'में' is essential to function as an adverb.
Another subtle mistake is using it for things earned through hard work. If you built a company yourself, you didn't get it 'विरासत में'. However, if your father built it and you took over, then you received it 'विरासत में'.
While 'विरासत में' is formal and widely understood, there are several alternatives depending on the context. 'पुश्तैनी' (pushtainī) is an adjective often used for property, while 'उत्तराधिकार में' (uttarādhikār mē̃) is a more legalistic term for succession.
- पुश्तैनी (Pushtaini)
- Meaning 'Ancestral'. Usually describes the object itself (e.g., पुश्तैनी घर - ancestral house).
- उत्तराधिकार में (Uttaradhikar mein)
- Meaning 'In succession'. Very formal, used in legal documents or historical accounts of kings.
For biological traits, you might hear 'जन्मजात' (by birth), though this doesn't explicitly mention the ancestors, only that the trait has been present since birth.
How Formal Is It?
Fun Fact
The word 'Waris' (heir) and 'Virasat' (legacy) come from the same root. In ancient Hindi, 'Daay' (दाय) was used for inheritance, but 'Virasat' is now more common in daily speech.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing 'mein' as 'main' (like the English word).
- Forgetting the nasalization (bindu) on 'mē̃'.
- Pronouncing 'v' as a hard 'w'.
Difficulty Rating
Easy to recognize in text due to the distinct 'में' postposition.
Requires correct gender agreement of the subsequent verb with the object.
Commonly used, but requires natural flow with 'मिलना'.
Clear pronunciation, usually easy to catch.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Verb Agreement with Object
विरासत में मिली (feminine) घड़ी vs विरासत में मिला (masculine) घर।
Postposition 'में'
Acts as a marker of the 'mode' of receiving.
Passive Construction with मिलना
Subject + को + Object + विरासत में + मिलना।
Adverbial Phrase placement
Usually placed right before the verb or after the object.
Gender of 'Virasat'
'Virasat' is feminine, but in 'विरासत में', it is part of an adverbial phrase.
Examples by Level
यह घर मुझे विरासत में मिला।
I got this house by inheritance.
Simple past tense with 'milā'.
उसे यह घड़ी विरासत में मिली।
He got this watch by inheritance.
Verb 'milī' agrees with feminine 'ghadī'.
विरासत में क्या मिला?
What did you get in inheritance?
Interrogative sentence.
मुझे कुछ नहीं मिला विरासत में।
I got nothing in inheritance.
Negative construction.
यह ज़मीन विरासत में है।
This land is in inheritance.
State of being with 'hai'.
मेरे पास विरासत में एक किताब है।
I have a book by inheritance.
Possession 'mere paas'.
क्या यह विरासत में मिला?
Did you get this in inheritance?
Yes/No question.
पिता से विरासत में मिला घर।
House received in inheritance from father.
Noun phrase.
उसे अपनी माँ से सुंदर बाल विरासत में मिले।
She inherited beautiful hair from her mother.
Plural verb 'mile' for 'baal'.
हमें यह पुरानी कार विरासत में मिली थी।
We had received this old car in inheritance.
Past perfect 'milī thī'.
उन्हें विरासत में बहुत धन मिला।
They received a lot of wealth by inheritance.
Uncountable noun 'dhan'.
क्या आपको यह हुनर विरासत में मिला?
Did you get this skill in inheritance?
Abstract noun 'hunar'.
विरासत में मिली चीज़ें कीमती होती हैं।
Things received in inheritance are valuable.
General statement.
उसे अपने दादाजी से यह छड़ी विरासत में मिली।
He got this walking stick from his grandfather by inheritance.
Specific source 'se'.
यह दुकान हमें विरासत में मिली है।
We have received this shop in inheritance.
Present perfect 'milī hai'.
विरासत में मिले गहने मत बेचो।
Don't sell the jewelry received in inheritance.
Imperative negative.
उसे साहस और धैर्य विरासत में मिला है।
He has inherited courage and patience.
Abstract qualities.
लेखन की कला उन्हें विरासत में मिली थी।
The art of writing was received by them in inheritance.
Passive-like construction.
क्या यह बीमारी उसे विरासत में मिली है?
Has he inherited this disease?
Biological inheritance.
विरासत में मिली संपत्ति का सही उपयोग करें।
Use the property received in inheritance correctly.
Advice/Instruction.
उसे अपने पिता का क्रोध विरासत में मिला।
He inherited his father's anger.
Negative trait inheritance.
यह पुरानी परंपरा हमें विरासत में मिली है।
We have inherited this old tradition.
Cultural inheritance.
विरासत में मिली ज़िम्मेदारी को निभाना कठिन है।
It is hard to fulfill the responsibility received in inheritance.
Infinitive as subject.
उसे संगीत की गहरी समझ विरासत में मिली।
He inherited a deep understanding of music.
Qualitative inheritance.
नई पीढ़ी को यह प्रदूषण विरासत में मिलेगा।
The new generation will receive this pollution by inheritance.
Future tense 'milegā'.
विरासत में मिली आज़ादी की रक्षा करना हमारा कर्तव्य है।
It is our duty to protect the freedom received by inheritance.
Political inheritance.
उसे अपने पूर्वजों से केवल कर्ज़ ही विरासत में मिला।
He only received debt in inheritance from his ancestors.
Emphasis with 'hī'.
सांस्कृतिक वैभव हमें विरासत में मिला है।
We have received cultural splendor in inheritance.
Formal vocabulary 'vaibhav'.
विरासत में मिले ज्ञान को बाँटना चाहिए।
Knowledge received in inheritance should be shared.
Modal 'chāhiye'.
उसे अपनी बुद्धिमत्ता विरासत में मिली है, मेहनत से नहीं।
He got his intelligence by inheritance, not by hard work.
Contrast 'nahīn'.
विरासत में मिली समस्याओं का समाधान ढूँढना होगा।
We will have to find solutions for inherited problems.
Compulsion 'hogā'.
उसे यह राजसी ठाट-बाट विरासत में मिला है।
He has inherited this royal lifestyle.
Compound word 'thāt-bāt'.
इतिहास की कड़वाहट हमें विरासत में मिली है।
We have inherited the bitterness of history.
Metaphorical usage.
विरासत में मिली मान्यताओं को चुनौती देना आवश्यक है।
It is necessary to challenge inherited beliefs.
Socio-critical context.
उसे भाषा की सूक्ष्मताएँ विरासत में मिली हैं।
He has inherited the nuances of language.
High-level abstract noun.
विरासत में मिली संपदा का संरक्षण अनिवार्य है।
Conservation of inherited wealth/assets is mandatory.
Formal/Legal register.
हमें एक खंडित समाज विरासत में मिला था।
We had inherited a fragmented society.
Sociopolitical analysis.
विरासत में मिली नैतिकता अक्सर बोझ बन जाती है।
Inherited morality often becomes a burden.
Philosophical statement.
उसे यह दार्शनिक दृष्टिकोण विरासत में मिला है।
He has inherited this philosophical outlook.
Intellectual inheritance.
विरासत में मिली कलाकृतियों की नीलामी हो रही है।
The artifacts received in inheritance are being auctioned.
Passive continuous.
मानवता को युद्ध की विभीषिका विरासत में मिली है।
Humanity has inherited the horrors of war.
Epic/Formal style.
विरासत में मिली इस पारिस्थितिक क्षति की भरपाई असंभव है।
It is impossible to compensate for this inherited ecological damage.
Scientific/Environmental context.
उसे अपने वंश का गौरव और कलंक दोनों विरासत में मिले।
He inherited both the glory and the stigma of his lineage.
Complex emotional contrast.
विरासत में मिली यह बौद्धिक संपदा अमूल्य है।
This inherited intellectual property is priceless.
Academic register.
क्या हम आने वाली पीढ़ी को केवल विनाश ही विरासत में देंगे?
Will we only bequeath destruction to the coming generation?
Rhetorical question.
विरासत में मिली रूढ़ियों को तोड़ना ही प्रगति है।
Breaking inherited dogmas is progress.
Philosophical definition.
उसे अपनी लेखनी में निराला का अक्श विरासत में मिला है।
In his writing, he has inherited the reflection of Nirala.
Literary allusion.
विरासत में मिली सत्ता का मद विनाशकारी होता है।
The pride of inherited power is destructive.
Aphoristic style.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— Artistic skill passed down through family.
उसे मिट्टी के बर्तन बनाने की कला विरासत में मिली।
— Values or culture passed down by parents.
अच्छे संस्कार विरासत में मिलते हैं।
— The throne or position of power received as an heir.
राजा को विरासत में मिली गद्दी की रक्षा करनी पड़ी।
— Identity or reputation passed down.
उसे अपने परिवार की पहचान विरासत में मिली।
— Hatred or feuds passed down through generations.
दो परिवारों के बीच विरासत में मिली नफरत खत्म हुई।
Often Confused With
Gift given by choice while alive vs Inheritance after death/lineage.
Award for merit vs Inheritance by birthright.
On rent vs Permanent ownership through inheritance.
Idioms & Expressions
— To be in the blood; a trait inherited naturally.
साहस उसके खून में है (विरासत में मिला है)।
Informal— Something treated as inherited property, often used mockingly for something one uses carelessly.
तुम इसे बाप का माल समझ रहे हो क्या?
Slang— The lamp of the lineage (the heir).
वह अपने वंश का दीपक है जिसे सब विरासत में मिलेगा।
Traditional— The scent of the soil (inherited connection to roots).
उसे अपनी विरासत में मिट्टी की महक मिली है।
Poetic— Generation after generation.
यह ज्ञान पीढ़ी दर पीढ़ी विरासत में चला आ रहा है।
Neutral— To bring glory to the inherited family name.
उसने विरासत में मिले नाम को और रौशन किया।
Positive— To be connected to old roots (inherited values).
वह आज भी अपनी विरासत में मिली जड़ों से जुड़ा है।
Metaphorical— The capital of values (inherited morals).
उसे विरासत में केवल संस्कारों की पूँजी मिली।
Literary— Sleight of hand (often used for inherited craftsmanship).
यह कला उसे विरासत में मिली हाथ की सफाई है।
Craft-relatedEasily Confused
Both relate to death and property.
'Vasiyat' is the document (Will), 'Virasat' is the legacy/inheritance itself.
वसीयत में लिखा था कि उसे घर विरासत में मिलेगा।
Both imply something kept for someone.
'Amanat' is a trust/something kept for safekeeping, 'Virasat' is something you own as an heir.
यह गहना मेरी अमानत है, पर तुम्हें विरासत में मिलेगा।
Both relate to the past.
'Parampara' is the custom/tradition, 'Virasat' is the thing received.
यह परंपरा हमें विरासत में मिली है।
Both involve getting something for free.
Gift (anytime) vs Inheritance (lineage-based).
यह घड़ी उपहार नहीं, मुझे विरासत में मिली है।
Both are acquisitions.
Reward for work vs Right by birth.
उसे अपनी मेहनत के लिए पुरस्कार मिला, विरासत में नहीं।
Sentence Patterns
मुझे [Object] विरासत में मिला/मिली।
मुझे यह अंगूठी विरासत में मिली।
उसे [Quality] विरासत में मिली है।
उसे बहादुरी विरासत में मिली है।
[Object] हमें अपने पूर्वजों से विरासत में मिला।
यह मंदिर हमें अपने पूर्वजों से विरासत में मिला।
विरासत में मिली [Noun] का संरक्षण [Adjective] है।
विरासत में मिली कला का संरक्षण आवश्यक है।
यह विरासत में है।
यह घर विरासत में है।
क्या आपको [Object] विरासत में मिला?
क्या आपको यह हुनर विरासत में मिला?
विरासत में मिली [Abstract Noun] अक्सर [Result] होती है।
विरासत में मिली नफरत अक्सर विनाशकारी होती है।
[Person] को विरासत में केवल [Object] मिला।
गरीब किसान को विरासत में केवल कर्ज़ मिला।
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
Common in literature, news, and family discussions.
-
विरासत मिला
→
विरासत में मिला
Missing the postposition 'में' makes the phrase grammatically incorrect.
-
मुझे यह उपहार विरासत में मिला।
→
मुझे यह उपहार मिला / मुझे यह घड़ी विरासत में मिली।
A gift (upahar) is usually not an inheritance (virasat).
-
उसे विरासत में मिली घर।
→
उसे विरासत में मिला घर।
Verb/Adjective must agree with 'Ghar' (masculine).
-
विरासत में मिलना मेहनत से।
→
विरासत में मिलना (Inherit) vs मेहनत से कमाना (Earn).
Contradicting terms; one is by birth, the other by effort.
-
विरासत में मिला हुआ ज़मीन।
→
विरासत में मिली हुई ज़मीन।
'Zameen' is feminine, so use 'mili hui'.
Tips
Verb Agreement
Always match the verb to the object: 'Ghar (m) mila', 'Ghadī (f) milī'.
Abstract Use
Don't forget you can inherit 'values' (sanskar) and 'talents' (hunar) too!
Cultural Depth
Using this word shows you understand the importance of family roots in India.
Pairing
The most natural pair is 'विरासत में' + 'मिलना'.
Root Word
Remember the root 'Waris' (heir) to help remember 'Virasat'.
Formal Situations
Use this in essays about history or heritage sites.
V-V Association
Virasat = Valuable Van/Values from ancestors.
The 'Mein'
Never drop the 'में'; it's what makes the phrase work adverbially.
Pushtaini
Use 'Pushtaini' as an adjective for houses/land for variety.
Nasalization
Listen for the soft 'n' sound at the end of 'mein'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Virasat' as 'We-Rest-At'. We rest at the house we got 'विरासत में' (in inheritance).
Visual Association
Imagine an old iron key being handed from an old hand to a young hand. That key represents everything you get 'विरासत में'.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to list three things you have received 'विरासत में'—one physical, one biological, and one cultural.
Word Origin
Derived from the Arabic word 'Wirāthah' (وراثة), meaning inheritance. It entered Hindi through Persian influence during the medieval period.
Original meaning: The act of inheriting or the property left by a deceased person.
Indo-Aryan (Hindi) with Arabic/Persian roots.Cultural Context
Be careful when discussing inheritance in families, as it can be a sensitive topic involving legal disputes.
In English, we usually use the verb 'to inherit'. In Hindi, we use the noun phrase 'विरासत में' + 'मिलना'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Family History
- विरासत में मिली कहानी
- विरासत में मिला नाम
- विरासत में मिले गहने
- विरासत में मिली ज़मीन
Biology
- विरासत में मिली बीमारी
- विरासत में मिले गुण
- विरासत में मिली शक्ल
- विरासत में मिली कद-काठी
Culture
- विरासत में मिली भाषा
- विरासत में मिली कला
- विरासत में मिला संगीत
- विरासत में मिली परंपरा
Finance/Legal
- विरासत में मिला कर्ज़
- विरासत में मिला धन
- विरासत में मिला व्यापार
- विरासत में मिली संपत्ति
Politics
- विरासत में मिली सत्ता
- विरासत में मिली कुर्सी
- विरासत में मिली विचारधारा
- विरासत में मिली समस्या
Conversation Starters
"क्या आपको अपने परिवार से कोई चीज़ विरासत में मिली है?"
"विरासत में मिली सबसे कीमती चीज़ क्या हो सकती है?"
"क्या आपको लगता है कि बुद्धिमत्ता विरासत में मिलती है?"
"अगर आपको विरासत में बहुत धन मिले, तो आप क्या करेंगे?"
"क्या हमें विरासत में मिली बुरी आदतों को बदलना चाहिए?"
Journal Prompts
उन गुणों के बारे में लिखें जो आपको अपने माता-पिता से विरासत में मिले हैं।
क्या आप चाहते हैं कि आपके बच्चों को आपसे कुछ विशेष विरासत में मिले?
एक ऐसी चीज़ का वर्णन करें जो आपको विरासत में मिली और उसका आपके लिए क्या महत्व है।
क्या विरासत में मिली दौलत इंसान को आलसी बना देती है? अपने विचार लिखें।
सांस्कृतिक विरासत को बचाना क्यों ज़रूरी है?
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it refers to property, biological traits like eye color, and even values or talents inherited from ancestors.
No, 'विरासत में' is strictly for things received through family lineage or succession. For friends, use 'उपहार में'.
The word 'विरासत' is feminine. However, in the phrase 'विरासत में मिला', the verb 'मिला' agrees with the object being received, not the word 'विरासत'.
In legal Hindi, 'उत्तराधिकार' (Uttaradhikar) is often used, but 'विरासत' is also common in property documents.
You say 'विरासत में मिलना' (to be received in inheritance) or 'विरासत पाना' (to obtain inheritance).
Yes, you can inherit debt (कर्ज़), diseases (बीमारी), or even bad reputations (बदनामी) 'विरासत में'.
'पुश्तैनी' is an adjective (ancestral house), while 'विरासत में' is an adverbial phrase (received in inheritance).
It is more common and grammatically standard to say 'विरासत में मिला'. 'से' would imply 'from the legacy', which is less common.
Example: 'नीली आँखें उसे विरासत में मिली हैं' (He inherited blue eyes).
Yes, it is a very common word in Urdu, often used in poetry and formal speech.
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Summary
The phrase 'विरासत में' is the standard way to describe anything—from a house to a personality trait—that you have because of your ancestors. Example: 'उसे अपनी माँ की आँखें विरासत में मिलीं' (She inherited her mother's eyes).
- Means 'by inheritance' or 'as a legacy'.
- Used for property, genes, and cultural values.
- Commonly paired with the verb 'milna' (to receive).
- Essential for talking about family history and roots.
Verb Agreement
Always match the verb to the object: 'Ghar (m) mila', 'Ghadī (f) milī'.
Abstract Use
Don't forget you can inherit 'values' (sanskar) and 'talents' (hunar) too!
Cultural Depth
Using this word shows you understand the importance of family roots in India.
Pairing
The most natural pair is 'विरासत में' + 'मिलना'.
Related Content
More family words
आबाद
B1Inhabited, prosperous; populated and flourishing.
आँचल
B1Corner of a sari (symbol of mother's protection).
आचरण
B1The way a person behaves; conduct.
आँगन
A2Courtyard; an unroofed area that is completely or mostly enclosed by the walls of a house.
आंगन
A2An open, uncovered area, often paved, adjacent to a house; a courtyard.
आग्रह करना
B1To request; to insist; to ask earnestly or formally.
आज्ञा
B1An instruction or command; permission.
आज्ञा का पालन करना
B1To obey orders or commands.
आज्ञा मानना
A2To obey; to comply with a command or rule.
आज्ञा पालन करना
B1To obey (command/order).
