substructure / foundation
Loading your saved state.
substructure
The supporting construction or foundation on which something is built, for example a road, a track, or a building.
Für die neue Bahnstrecke muss zuerst ein stabiler Unterbau geschaffen werden.
For the new railway line, a stable substructure must first be created.
foundation
The theoretical or ideological basis for an idea, a system, or an organization.
Der philosophische Unterbau dieser politischen Bewegung ist sehr komplex.
The philosophical foundation of this political movement is very complex.
base
In Marxist theory, the totality of economic relations (relations of production) that form the basis of a society and determine the 'Überbau' (superstructure: culture, law, politics).
Laut Marx bestimmt der ökonomische Unterbau das gesellschaftliche Bewusstsein.
According to Marx, the economic base determines social consciousness.
The word is made up of the preposition 'unter' (under) and the noun 'Bau' (construction/building, from 'bauen' — to build). It literally describes what lies under a structure and supports it — the foundation.
Ohne einen soliden Unterbau kann die Brücke nicht gebaut werden.
Without a solid substructure, the bridge cannot be built.
'Unterbau' (substructure/foundation) can be both a physical base (foundation) and a theoretical basis (idea). The context makes clear what is meant: if we are talking about construction projects, it is concrete. If we are talking about theories or ideas, it is abstract.
Der Unterbau der neuen Autobahn ist fast fertig.
The substructure of the new highway is almost finished.
In its abstract meaning, 'Unterbau' (foundation) is often combined with adjectives that describe the type of basis. Typical phrases are 'theoretischer Unterbau' (theoretical foundation), 'philosophischer Unterbau' (philosophical foundation), and 'wissenschaftlicher Unterbau' (scientific foundation).
Jede gute wissenschaftliche Arbeit braucht einen soliden theoretischen Unterbau.
Every good academic paper needs a solid theoretical foundation.
In philosophy and sociology, 'Unterbau' (base) has a very specific meaning from Marxist theory. It refers to the economic base of a society and is often mentioned in connection with its counterpart, the 'Überbau' (superstructure: culture, politics).
In der Analyse wurde untersucht, wie der ökonomische Unterbau die politischen Entscheidungen beeinflusst.
The analysis examined how the economic base influences political decisions.
basis / base
Basis can generally refer to the economic foundation of a society. Unterbau is a specific technical term in Marxist theory for the economic relations, in contrast to the Überbau (superstructure). Without this theoretical context, Basis is usually the better fit.
In der marxistischen Theorie bilden die wirtschaftlichen Verhältnisse den Unterbau der Gesellschaft.
In Marxist theory, economic relations form the base of society.
Eine stabile Wirtschaft bildet die Basis für die Entwicklung der Gesellschaft.
A stable economy forms the basis for the development of society.
