Hinterlassen

Hinterlassen is a German transitive verb meaning to leave behind or to bequeath. It covers the act of leaving something physically, such as objects or messages, as well as more abstract results like traces or impressions. In legal contexts it is used to describe bequeathing property or assets to heirs or beneficiaries in a will.

Usage and grammar: hinterlassen typically takes a direct object, for example “eine Nachricht hinterlassen” (to leave a message), “eine Spur hinterlassen” (to leave a trace). In bequest contexts one can say “dem Erben ein Vermögen hinterlassen.” The verb forms with the auxiliary haben: ich hinterlasse, du hinterlässt, er hinterlässt; präteritum: ich hinterließ, du hinterliest; past participle: hinterlassen. The prefix hinter- is part of the base verb and is not separated in standard finite forms.

Contexts: concrete leaving, such as “Der Verfasser hinterlässt dem Leser Hinweise,” and abstract leaving, such as “Der Unfall hinterließ eine bleibende Spur.” In genealogy and law, it often appears in phrases about inheritance, e.g., “Der Erblasser hat der Familie ein Vermögen hinterlassen” or “Sie hinterlässt den Hinterbliebenen eine Botschaft.”

Etymology and related terms: hinterlassen derives from hinter (behind) and lassen (to let or leave). Related concepts include Nachlass (estate/leftover property), Erbschaft (inheritance), and Vermächtnis (bequest).

In sum, hinterlassen is a versatile verb used for leaving something behind in physical, communicative, or legal senses, and it forms a core part of expressions about messages, traces, and inheritance.