01
gründen
to found
To bring something new into being, especially a company, an organization, a city, or a family.
example
Sie plant, nächstes Jahr ihr eigenes Unternehmen zu gründen.
She plans to found her own company next year.
gründen
to found / be based on
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'gründen' (to found / be based on) is closely related to the noun 'der Grund' (the reason; the ground). This connection helps explain the meanings: you lay the 'Grundstein' (foundation stone) for a company (gründen = to found), an opinion is based on a 'Grund' (reason) (sich gründen auf = to be based on), or a ship touches the 'Meeresgrund' (seabed) (gründen = to run aground).
EXAMPLE
Der Erfolg der Firma gründet auf einer einfachen, aber genialen Idee.
The company's success is based on a simple but brilliant idea.
Typical collocations
In its most common meaning, 'gründen' is combined with things that one brings newly into being. Typical examples are: eine Firma gründen (to found a company), einen Verein gründen (to found an association/club), eine Familie gründen (to start a family), or eine Organisation gründen (to found an organization).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Studium wollen sie eine Familie gründen.
After their studies, they want to start a family.
Sentence structure
In the meaning 'basieren auf' (to be based on), the verb is always reflexive and is used with the preposition 'auf' and the accusative. The structure is: Etwas gründet sich auf etwas (something is based on something).
EXAMPLE
Ihre Anklage gründet sich auf Zeugenaussagen.
Her accusation is based on witness statements.
Register
The meaning 'mit dem Schiff auf Grund laufen' (to run aground with a ship) is technical language from seafaring. You hear or read this word only in this specific context.
EXAMPLE
Der Kapitän musste melden, dass sein Schiff im flachen Wasser gegründet war.
The captain had to report that his ship had run aground in shallow water.
Compare with
gründen vs eröffnen
to open
'gründen' and 'eröffnen' can both be used at the beginning of something, for example with a company or a shop. Use 'gründen' when something new is brought into being: a company, an organization, or a family. Use 'eröffnen' when something is made accessible for the first time or officially begun, for example a shop, an exhibition, or a meeting. Learners often confuse the words when talking about shops: you 'gründet' the company as a legal or organizational unit, but you 'eröffnet' the shop for customers.
gründen
Nach dem Studium möchte Lena eine kleine Firma gründen.
After her studies, Lena would like to found a small company.
eröffnen
Am Samstag eröffnet das neue Café in unserer Straße.
The new café on our street opens on Saturday.
In real life
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