vererbte

Vererbte is a German term derived from the verb vererben, which means to pass something on by inheritance. The word can function as an adjectival form meaning “inherited” or “heritable,” as in vererbte Merkmale (traits inherited from one’s ancestors). It can also appear as the simple past tense of vererben, meaning “bequeathed” or “left by will,” as in Er vererbte seinem Sohn das Haus.

In the scientific context, vererbte traits are those primarily determined by genetic factors and transmitted from parents to offspring. The study of how such traits pass through generations is Vererbung. In medicine, phrases like vererbte Krankheiten or erbliche Erkrankungen describe diseases caused by heritable genetic variants.

In legal language, vererben refers to the act of bequeathing property or assets to a beneficiary upon death. A will may stipulate that someone vererbt Geld oder Güter an Verwandte. The past tense form vererbte is used when narrating that someone left property to another.

Note that not all characteristics are determined solely by genes; environment and gene–environment interactions influence heritability. The term vererbbar (heritable) is used to describe traits that may be transmitted, while Vererbung denotes the process of transmission.