ärvda

ärvda is an Estonian verb that denotes the transfer of property, rights, or status through inheritance or bequest. In use, it can describe the act by which an heir or beneficiary receives something from a predecessor, typically within family or estate contexts. The term is relatively specialized and appears most often in historical, genealogical, or legal texts. In everyday language, more common expressions for inheritance are used, but ärvda can appear in discussions of estates, wills, or archival documents.

Etymology and related terms are etymologically plausible within the Finnic language family, with potential connections to older roots referring to inheritance or legacy. Related vocabulary in Estonian and neighboring Finnic languages helps explain why similar terms appear across the region, though ärvda itself is not a frequent colloquial verb.

Usage notes include its occurrence in legal documents, estate inventories, and narratives tracing how assets or statuses pass from one generation to the next. Because it is somewhat formal and historical in tone, ärvda is more likely encountered in archival material, scholarly writing, or discussions of traditional inheritance practices than in everyday speech.

See also: pärand (inheritance), pärima (to inherit), pärandamine (to bequeath or inheritance process).