foundation wall
die Grundmauer, die Grundmauern
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foundation wall
A wall in the lowest, usually underground part of a building that supports the building. The word is often used in the plural.
Bei den Ausgrabungen wurden die Grundmauern einer mittelalterlichen Kirche freigelegt.
During the excavations, the foundation walls of a medieval church were uncovered.
down to the foundations
So completely that only the lowest walls of a building remain. This expression is used especially when describing fires and destruction.
Die alte Scheune brannte bis auf die Grundmauern nieder.
The old barn burned down to the foundations.
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Grundmauern |
| genitive | der Grundmauer |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Grundmauer | die Grundmauern |
| accusative | die Grundmauer | die Grundmauern |
| dative | der Grundmauer | den Grundmauern |
| genitive | der Grundmauer | der Grundmauern |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
'Grundmauer' (foundation wall) is made up of 'Grund' (ground / base) and 'Mauer' (wall). It refers to a wall at the base of a building, in its lowest section.
Die alten Grundmauern zeigen, wo früher das Wohnhaus stand.
The old foundation walls show where the house once stood.
'Grundmauer' (foundation wall) is particularly common with verbs used in archaeology and construction, such as 'freilegen' (to uncover), 'entdecken' (to discover), and 'errichten' (to build). The word is often used in the plural in these contexts.
Die Bauarbeiter errichteten zuerst die Grundmauern des neuen Hauses.
The construction workers built the foundation walls of the new house first.
'Bis auf die Grundmauern' (down to the foundations) usually follows verbs expressing complete destruction or burning down. The expression describes a situation in which only the lowest part of the building remains.
Der Brand zerstörte das leer stehende Haus bis auf die Grundmauern.
The fire destroyed the vacant house down to the foundations.
