cornerstone
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cornerstone
The first stone that is ceremonially laid when a building is constructed and often contains a time capsule.
Die Ministerin legte den Grundstein für das neue Forschungszentrum.
The minister laid the cornerstone for the new research center.
to lay the foundation for
To create the foundation or basis for a future development, project, or success.
Mit dieser Entdeckung legte sie den Grundstein für die moderne Genetik.
With this discovery, she laid the foundation for modern genetics.
The word is a simple compound of 'der Grund' (here in the sense of foundation) and 'der Stein' (stone). So it literally refers to the stone that forms the foundation.
Bei der Zeremonie wurde der Grundstein in das Fundament eingesetzt.
At the ceremony, the cornerstone was placed in the foundation.
The figurative meaning is almost always used in the fixed expression 'den Grundstein für etwas (Akkusativ) legen' (to lay the foundation for something). It means to create the basis for a future development.
Mit seiner Forschung legte er den Grundstein für die moderne Medizin.
With his research, he laid the foundation for modern medicine.
The literal meaning is found in the context of construction, architecture, and buildings. The figurative, much more common meaning can be recognized by the fact that it involves abstract things such as success, a career, a discovery, or a relationship.
Der Bürgermeister legte den Grundstein für die neue Schule.
The mayor laid the cornerstone for the new school.
basis / foundation
Grundlage neutrally refers to the basis on which further development builds. In the expression den Grundstein legen, Grundstein refers to the deliberate action of creating this basis for future development.
Mit der guten Ausbildung legt sie den Grundstein für ihren späteren Erfolg.
With her good education, she lays the foundation for her later success.
Die gute Ausbildung bildet die Grundlage für ihren späteren Erfolg.
Her good education provides the basis for her later success.
