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.
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.
characteristic / capacity
'Eigenschaft' and 'Grundzug' can both mean a feature of a person, thing, or idea. 'Eigenschaft' is broader and can also be a single concrete characteristic, for example a color, an ability, or a character trait. 'Grundzug' tends to mean an essential feature that strongly shapes something. The word sounds somewhat elevated and is often used in the plural, for example 'die Grundzüge eines Plans' (the basic features of a plan) or 'die Grundzüge seines Charakters' (the basic features of his character). They can be confused because both describe something typical. For individual normal characteristics, you usually use 'Eigenschaft'. For central, fundamental features, 'Grundzug' fits better.
Ein wichtiger Grundzug ihres Plans ist, dass alle im Team mitentscheiden.
An important basic feature of her plan is that everyone on the team has a say.
Eine gute Eigenschaft des Materials ist, dass es sehr leicht ist.
One good property of the material is that it is very light.