heritage
Definitions
The traditions, values, culture, and history passed down from previous generations.
（文化、传统等）遗产；传统。
Property or status inherited from one's ancestors.
继承的财产；世袭的身份。
Root Breakdown
Native Englishherit (inherit) + -age (state / collection) = 'that which is inherited.' It started as plain inherited property, then broadened from money and land to the intangible things a community hands down — its traditions, language, monuments, and identity.
Root hered still carries 16 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.cultural heritage文化遗产
- 2.world heritage site世界遗产地
- 3.rich heritage丰富的遗产
- 4.preserve heritage保护遗产
- 5.national heritage民族遗产
Example Sentences
- 1.
The old town is famous for its rich cultural heritage.
- 2.
She is proud of her Irish heritage.
- 3.
The castle was named a world heritage site in 1995.
Easily Confused
heritage vs legacy — Heritage is what a whole group inherits from the distant past (cultural heritage, national heritage). Legacy is what one person or era leaves behind for the future (his legacy as president). Heritage looks back to ancestors; legacy looks forward to what you leave.