foundation
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foundation
The lowest, load-bearing part of a structure that transfers the building's weight to the ground. It forms the structural base.
Das Fundament für das neue Haus wurde letzte Woche aus Beton gegossen.
The foundation for the new house was poured in concrete last week.
'Das Fundament' (foundation) is related to the adjective 'fundiert' (well-founded), e.g. 'fundiertes Wissen' (well-founded knowledge). Both express the idea of a solid, deep basis.
Für diese Behauptung braucht man ein fundiertes Wissen der Geschichte.
For this claim, you need well-founded knowledge of history.
You can recognize the meaning from the context. If it is about building, concrete, or houses, the literal meaning is intended. If it is about ideas, relationships, or knowledge, the figurative, abstract meaning is intended.
Die Bauarbeiter gießen heute das Fundament für die Garage.
The construction workers are pouring the foundation for the garage today.
In the literal sense, 'Fundament' (foundation) is often used with the verbs 'legen' (to lay), 'gießen' (to pour), or 'errichten' (to build/construct). People also speak of the 'Fundament eines Hauses' (foundation of a house) or 'einer Mauer' (of a wall).
Bevor die Mauern gebaut werden, muss das Fundament trocknen.
Before the walls are built, the foundation has to dry.
In the figurative meaning, the structure 'das Fundament für etwas sein/bilden/legen' (to be/form/lay the foundation for something) is often used. It describes the basis for abstract things such as 'Vertrauen' (trust), 'Erfolg' (success), or 'eine Beziehung' (a relationship).
Respekt und Kommunikation bilden das Fundament unserer Zusammenarbeit.
Respect and communication form the foundation of our cooperation.
foot
'der Fuß' and 'das Fundament' can both mean the lower part on which something stands. 'der Fuß' usually describes the visible lowest part of something, for example the foot of a mountain, a glass, or a piece of furniture. 'das Fundament' is the load-bearing substructure of a building or, in a figurative sense, the foundation for something. It emphasizes that something is built on it in a stable way. The words can be confused when thinking about the lower part of a house or object. For the visible lower area, 'Fuß' often fits. For the supporting foundation of a structure or an idea, 'Fundament' fits.
Beim Hausbau muss zuerst ein stabiles Fundament entstehen.
When building a house, a stable foundation must be created first.
In der Pause sitzen die Wanderer am Fuß des alten Turms.
During the break, the hikers sit at the foot of the old tower.