fundamental right
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fundamental right
A basic right anchored in a state's constitution that an individual has vis-à-vis the state.
Die Meinungsfreiheit ist ein hohes Gut und ein in der Verfassung verankertes Grundrecht.
Freedom of expression is a valuable good and a fundamental right anchored in the constitution.
The word is a clear compound of 'Grund' (basis/reason) and 'Recht' (right/law). Here, 'Grund' means 'fundamental' or 'basic'. A 'Grundrecht' is therefore a fundamental right.
Das ist der Grund, warum ich nicht mitkomme.
That is the reason why I'm not coming along.
'Grundrecht' (fundamental right) is often used with legal verbs. You can 'einschränken' (restrict), 'verletzen' (violate), 'achten' (respect), or 'garantieren' (guarantee) a fundamental right. You can also 'sich auf ein Grundrecht berufen' (invoke a fundamental right).
Der Staat muss die Grundrechte seiner Bürger achten.
The state must respect the fundamental rights of its citizens.
The word is very often used in the plural ('die Grundrechte') to refer to the totality of rights anchored in the constitution.
Die Grundrechte schützen die Freiheit des Einzelnen vor dem Staat.
Fundamental rights protect the freedom of the individual from the state.
right / law
'das Recht' and 'das Grundrecht' both have to do with claims or entitlements that someone can have. 'das Recht' is more general: it can be a legal or moral claim, for example the right to help or to a break. 'das Grundrecht' is more specific. It is a particularly important right that is written into the constitution and protects the individual, especially in relation to the state. Learners may confuse the words because every fundamental right is a right. But not every right is a fundamental right.
Die Meinungsfreiheit ist in Deutschland ein wichtiges Grundrecht.
Freedom of expression is an important fundamental right in Germany.
Als Kundin hast du das Recht, eine kaputte Ware zurückzugeben.
As a customer, you have the right to return a defective product.