遗产

• Pinyin: yí chǎn
• Hanzi breakdown: 遗 = 辶 (movement/walk radical) + 贵 (precious), to leave behind or bequeath; 产 = 立 (stand) + 生 (life/produce), property or production

Meaning

Heritage; inheritance; legacy. Refers to property or wealth left by a deceased person, or to cultural and historical assets passed down through generations.

Used in two main contexts: legal inheritance (property left after death — 继承遗产 means to inherit assets) and cultural or historical heritage (世界文化遗产 = UNESCO World Heritage Site). The word carries a sense of something valuable handed down across time. 遗产税 means inheritance tax.

Examples

1. 爷爷去世后，他把所有遗产都留给了子孙。 After grandfather passed away, he left all his inheritance to his descendants.
2. 这座古城被列为世界文化遗产，每年吸引大量游客。 This ancient city has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and attracts a large number of tourists every year.
3. 保护历史文化遗产是每个公民应尽的责任。 Protecting historical and cultural heritage is a responsibility every citizen should fulfil.

Usage Guide

Context: legal, culture, history

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这份遗产将由三个孩子平均分配。(This inheritance will be divided equally among the three children.)
• 长城是中国最重要的文化遗产之一。(The Great Wall is one of China's most important cultural heritages.)

Don't Say

• 把'遗产'仅理解为有形的财物 (Don't limit 遗产 to physical property — it also covers cultural heritage such as 世界文化遗产, which refers to historical sites and traditions of outstanding universal value)

Origin & History

A compound of 遗 (to leave behind; to bequeath) and 产 (property; assets). Together they describe assets or values left behind after one's death or by past generations.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal