supporting leg / mainstay
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supporting leg
The leg on which the main weight of the body rests while standing, while the other leg is relieved of weight.
Beim Balancieren ist es wichtig, das Gewicht sicher auf das Standbein zu verlagern.
When balancing, it is important to shift your weight securely onto the supporting leg.
The word is made up of 'Stand' (from 'stehen' (to stand)) and 'Bein' (leg). So it literally describes the leg one stands on.
Die Tänzerin verlagerte ihr Gewicht elegant auf ihr Standbein.
The dancer elegantly shifted her weight onto her supporting leg.
You can recognize the figurative meaning from the context. If the topic is work, finances, or a company, it refers to the economic foundation. If the topic is the body or sports, it refers to the leg.
Die App-Entwicklung ist das wichtigste Standbein seines Unternehmens.
App development is the most important mainstay of his company.
In the figurative meaning, 'Standbein' (mainstay) is often used in fixed expressions. Common ones are 'sich ein zweites Standbein aufbauen' (to build up a second source of income) or 'ein finanzielles Standbein haben' (to have a financial mainstay).
Viele Freiberufler versuchen, sich ein zweites Standbein aufzubauen, um sicherer zu sein.
Many freelancers try to build up a second source of income to have more security.
basis / base
'die Basis' and 'das Standbein' can both mean an important foundation. 'die Basis' is more general and can fit many topics, for example knowledge, planning, or cooperation. 'das Standbein' is often used when a person or a company is especially stable because of something, for example an important source of income or a fixed area of work. 'Standbein' sounds more figurative and emphasizes security and support. 'Basis' is more neutral and can be used more broadly.
Der Onlineverkauf ist inzwischen das wichtigste Standbein der kleinen Firma.
Online sales have now become the small company's most important mainstay.
Der Sprachkurs bildet die Basis für mein Studium in Deutschland.
The language course forms the basis for my studies in Germany.