pillar
der Grundpfeiler, die Grundpfeiler
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pillar
A load-bearing pillar that supports a structure or part of it and rests on the foundation.
Der Grundpfeiler des alten Hauses musste dringend verstärkt werden.
The pillar supporting the old house urgently needed reinforcement.
pillar
A fundamental prerequisite on which something is built; a particularly important component or guiding principle.
Vertrauen ist ein Grundpfeiler jeder guten Beziehung.
Trust is a pillar of every good relationship.
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Grundpfeiler |
| genitive | des Grundpfeilers |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Grundpfeiler | die Grundpfeiler |
| accusative | den Grundpfeiler | die Grundpfeiler |
| dative | dem Grundpfeiler | den Grundpfeilern |
| genitive | des Grundpfeilers | der Grundpfeiler |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
'Grundpfeiler' (pillar) consists of 'Grund' (ground / foundation) and 'Pfeiler' (pillar). The image of a load-bearing support also helps you understand the figurative meaning: something important supports the whole.
Eine unabhängige Presse ist ein Grundpfeiler der Demokratie.
An independent press is a pillar of democracy.
In construction, typical collocations are 'einen Grundpfeiler errichten' (to erect a pillar), 'einen Grundpfeiler verstärken' (to reinforce a pillar), and 'einen Grundpfeiler sanieren' (to restore a pillar). These describe the construction or repair of this support.
Die Baufirma verstärkt die Grundpfeiler der Brücke.
The construction company is reinforcing the pillars of the bridge.
'Grundpfeiler' (pillar) is often followed by a genitive that indicates what is built on this foundation. The pattern 'etwas ist ein Grundpfeiler + Genitiv' (something is a pillar of + noun phrase) is particularly common.
Gegenseitiger Respekt ist ein Grundpfeiler unserer Zusammenarbeit.
Mutual respect is a pillar of our collaboration.
