foundation
Loading your saved state.
foundation
The initial, basic collection of objects, capital, or knowledge on which everything else is built.
Die Schenkung des Sammlers bildete den Grundstock des neuen Museums.
The collector's donation formed the foundation of the new museum.
The word is made up of 'Grund' (base, foundation) and 'Stock' (supply, stock). It therefore refers to the basic stock on which something is built.
Diese ersten Bücher bildeten den Grundstock seiner Sammlung.
These first books formed the foundation of his collection.
'Grundstock' (foundation) is often used with the verbs 'bilden' (to form), 'legen' (to lay), or 'schaffen' (to create). A very common fixed expression is 'den Grundstock für etwas legen' (to lay the foundation for something).
Mit diesem Kapital konnten sie den Grundstock für ihr Unternehmen legen.
With this capital, they were able to lay the foundation for their company.
To describe what the 'Grundstock' (foundation) consists of, a genitive or a prepositional phrase with 'an' (+ dative) is usually used. For example: 'der Grundstock des Vermögens' (the foundation of the fortune/assets) or 'ein Grundstock an Wissen' (a basic foundation of knowledge).
Ein guter Grundstock an Vokabeln ist für das Sprachenlernen unerlässlich.
A good foundation of vocabulary is essential for language learning.
basis / base
'die Basis' and 'der Grundstock' both mean something on which more is built later. 'die Basis' is general and can be an idea, knowledge, a plan, or a foundation. 'der Grundstock' more often means the first existing part of a collection, money, or knowledge that is later expanded. The words can be confused because both describe a beginning. When you mean a general foundation, 'Basis' fits. When you mean an initial stock or base that is meant to grow, 'Grundstock' is more precise.
Mein Bruder hat mit zehn Büchern den Grundstock für seine kleine Bibliothek gelegt.
My brother laid the foundation for his small library with ten books.
Regelmäßiges Üben ist die Basis für gute Fortschritte.
Regular practice is the basis for good progress.