basic feature / broad outline
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basic feature
An essential, characteristic feature of a person, thing, or concept. Often used in the plural.
Ein wesentlicher Grundzug seines Charakters ist seine unerschütterliche Geduld.
An essential basic feature of his character is his unwavering patience.
in broad outline
In the essential points or roughly, without going into details.
Ich kann dir das Konzept nur in Grundzügen erklären, für mehr fehlt uns die Zeit.
I can explain the concept to you only in broad outline; we don't have time for more.
The word is made up of 'Grund' (basis, foundation) and 'Zug' (feature, characteristic). A 'Grundzug' is therefore literally a 'basic feature.'
Offenheit ist ein wichtiger Grundzug einer funktionierenden Demokratie.
Openness is an important basic feature of a functioning democracy.
'Grundzug' (basic feature) is a word used in elevated language. You find it more often in written, formal, or academic texts than in everyday colloquial speech.
In seiner Analyse beschreibt der Autor die Grundzüge der modernen Gesellschaft.
In his analysis, the author describes the basic features of modern society.
When referring to the essential features of something complex, the plural 'die Grundzüge' (the basic features/outlines) is often used. Typical phrases are 'die Grundzüge von etwas erklären' (to explain the basic features of something) or 'die Grundzüge einer Sache verstehen' (to understand the basic features of something).
Er erklärte mir die Grundzüge seiner politischen Theorie.
He explained the basic features of his political theory to me.
The phrase 'in Grundzügen' (in broad outline) is a fixed adverbial expression. It means 'by and large' or 'in the essential aspects' and is used to express that one is not going into details.
Ich kenne das Projekt nur in Grundzügen.
I know the project only in broad outline.
quality
Qualität and Grundzug can both refer to a personal characteristic. Qualität usually presents this characteristic as a particular strength. Grundzug, by contrast, emphasizes that it is essential and characteristic of the person, without necessarily evaluating it.
Ihre Geduld ist ein wesentlicher Grundzug ihrer Persönlichkeit.
Her patience is an essential basic feature of her personality.
Ihre Geduld ist eine besondere Qualität, die das Team sehr schätzt.
Her patience is a particular quality that the team greatly appreciates.
