Hand down Meaning in English
expression
ˈhænd/ /ˈdaʊn
HAND-down
hˈænd/ /dˈaʊn
HAND-down
Definition
To give or leave something to someone who is younger, usually within a family or group, often items, traditions, or stories.
Usage & Nuances
Often used for family heirlooms, traditions, or legal decisions. Typical phrases: 'hand down clothes', 'hand down a verdict'. Not the same as 'hand over', which means immediate giving.
Spanish: transmitir - heredar - legarPortuguese (BR): passar para frente - legar - deixar de herançaPortuguese (PT): passar adiante - legar - deixar como herançaChinese (Simplified): 传给 - 传承 - 遗留Chinese (Traditional): 傳給 - 傳承 - 遺留Hindi: सौंपना - विरासत में देनाArabic: يُنقِل - يورّث - يُسلِّمBengali: হস্তান্তর করা - প্রজন্মান্তরে তুলে দেওয়াRussian: передавать - завещатьJapanese: 受け継ぐ - 伝えるVietnamese: truyền lại - để lạiKorean: 물려주다 - 전하다Turkish: devretmek - nesilden nesile aktarmakUrdu: وراثت میں دینا - منتقل کرناIndonesian: mewariskan - menurunkan
Example Sentences
My grandmother handed down her wedding ring to my mother.
basic
These old clothes were handed down from my older brother.
basic
Stories are handed down from generation to generation.
basic
The secret recipe has been handed down in our family for centuries.
natural
The judge handed down a life sentence to the criminal.
natural
You can really tell this watch has been handed down—it’s got so much history to it.
natural