laying of the foundation stone
Loading your saved state.
laying of the foundation stone
A ceremonial event in which the first stone (the foundation stone) for a new building is laid, marking the official start of construction.
Zur Grundsteinlegung für die neue Schule kamen viele Politiker und Bürger.
Many politicians and citizens came to the laying of the foundation stone for the new school.
The word consists of 'Grundstein' (the first stone of a foundation) and 'Legung' (from the verb 'legen', to lay). So it literally describes the act of laying the foundation stone.
Die Grundsteinlegung markiert den offiziellen Beginn der Bauarbeiten.
The laying of the foundation stone marks the official start of construction work.
To say what the foundation stone is being laid for, use the preposition 'für' followed by the accusative.
Heute ist die Grundsteinlegung für das neue Museum.
Today is the laying of the foundation stone for the new museum.
The 'Grundsteinlegung' (laying of the foundation stone) is more than just a construction phase. It is a ceremonial, public act, often with guests from politics and society, to symbolically celebrate the start of construction.
Der Bürgermeister hielt bei der Grundsteinlegung eine Rede.
The mayor gave a speech at the laying of the foundation stone.
inauguration / housewarming
'Einweihung' and 'Grundsteinlegung' can both be ceremonial events in a construction project. The most important difference is the timing. The 'Grundsteinlegung' (laying of the foundation stone) takes place at the beginning, when construction officially starts. The 'Einweihung' (inauguration) takes place at the end, when a building, bridge, or monument is finished and officially put into use. The words can be confused because both are often connected with speeches, guests, and a ceremony. Remember: first comes the Grundsteinlegung, later the Einweihung.
Bei der Grundsteinlegung für die neue Schule hielt die Bürgermeisterin eine kurze Rede.
At the laying of the foundation stone for the new school, the mayor gave a short speech.
Zur Einweihung der neuen Bibliothek kamen viele Besucher aus der Stadt.
Many visitors from the city came to the inauguration of the new library.