Legar vs. dejar
The Spanish words legar and dejar can both be translated into English as to leave, especially while referring to the inheritance process, but their use and implications are slightly different.
Legar
B2Legar generally refers to the act of transmitting property or rights to heirs by will or testament. It's specifically used in the legal context.
Mi abuelo me legó su casa.
(My grandfather bequeathed his house to me.)
Ella legó todas sus joyas a su hija.
(She bequeathed all her jewelry to her daughter.)
Dejar
A1Dejar has a broader application, it can be used in various contexts, not strictly legal. This word implies more about leaving something behind physically or in a metaphorical sense.
Dejé mis llaves en la casa.
(I left my keys at home.)
Él dejó todo su dinero a la caridad cuando murió.
(He left all his money to charity when he died.)
Dejaremos nuestro viejo coche a nuestro hijo cuando nos mudemos.
(We will leave our old car to our son when we move.)
Summary
Legar is primarily used to denote inheritance through a legal will, and often it's not used in normal conversations but rather, in legal documents or formal speech. On the contrary, dejar is more common and can refer both the act of leaving something behind - physically or metaphorically - as well as bequeathing in an inheritance sense.