der Eckpfeiler
corner pillar
A supporting pillar at the corner of a building or another structure.
EXAMPLE
Der Eckpfeiler des alten Hauses musste dringend verstärkt werden.
The corner pillar of the old house urgently needed to be reinforced.
der Eckpfeiler
cornerstone
der Eckpfeiler, die Eckpfeiler
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Meanings
der Eckpfeiler
cornerstone
A particularly important foundation or central component of something.
EXAMPLE
Vertrauen ist ein Eckpfeiler jeder guten Beziehung.
Trust is a cornerstone of every good relationship.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Eckpfeiler, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Eckpfeiler |
| genitive | des Eckpfeilers |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Eckpfeiler | die Eckpfeiler |
| accusative | den Eckpfeiler | die Eckpfeiler |
| dative | dem Eckpfeiler | den Eckpfeilern |
| genitive | des Eckpfeilers | der Eckpfeiler |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Compound word
'Eckpfeiler' (cornerstone) is made up of 'Eck-' (corner) and 'Pfeiler' (pillar); 'Eck-' is related to 'Ecke' (corner). The image of a supporting structural element also helps with understanding the figurative meaning: something important supports the whole.
EXAMPLE
Eine unabhängige Presse ist ein Eckpfeiler der Demokratie.
An independent press is a cornerstone of democracy.
Typical collocations
In a construction context, typical collocations include 'einen Eckpfeiler errichten' (to build a corner pillar), 'einen Eckpfeiler verstärken' (to reinforce a corner pillar), and 'einen Eckpfeiler abstützen' (to brace a corner pillar). 'Abstützen' refers to adding extra support to secure the structural element.
EXAMPLE
Während der Reparatur mussten die Bauarbeiter den beschädigten Eckpfeiler abstützen.
During the repairs, the construction workers had to brace the damaged corner pillar.
Genitive and 'gelten als'
What rests on a cornerstone is often connected with a genitive: 'ein Eckpfeiler des Erfolgs' (a cornerstone of success). The pattern 'als Eckpfeiler gelten' (to be considered a cornerstone) is also common; no preposition follows 'als'.
EXAMPLE
Regelmäßige Weiterbildung ist ein Eckpfeiler unseres Erfolgs.
Regular professional development is a cornerstone of our success.
Der öffentliche Nahverkehr gilt als Eckpfeiler einer klimafreundlichen Verkehrspolitik.
Public transportation is considered a cornerstone of climate-friendly transport policy.
In real life
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