veteran / bedrock
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veteran
A person who has been part of a group, club, or company for a very long time and is considered a kind of founding figure.
Nach 40 Jahren im Unternehmen gilt er als das Urgestein der Abteilung.
After 40 years at the company, he is considered the veteran of the department.
bedrock
In geology, a very old, original rock that forms the basis for later rock layers.
Der Sockel des Gebirges besteht aus massivem Urgestein.
The base of the mountain range consists of massive bedrock.
The word is made up of the prefix 'Ur-' and the noun 'Gestein' (rock). 'Ur-' means 'original' or 'very old'. The literal meaning is therefore 'original rock', which forms the basis for the figurative meaning.
Dieses Gebirge besteht aus Millionen Jahre altem Urgestein.
This mountain range consists of bedrock that is millions of years old.
You can recognize the meaning easily from the context. If people are talking about geology, mountains, or stones, the actual rock is meant. If, however, people are talking about a person in an organization (company, club, party), the figurative meaning is meant.
Er ist ein Urgestein unserer Partei und seit der Gründung dabei.
He is a veteran of our party and has been involved since its founding.
In the figurative meaning, the word describes a person who belongs to a group as long and as fundamentally as a rock foundation belongs to the earth. It is usually an appreciative term for a very experienced and loyal person.
Mit 30 Dienstjahren ist Frau Meier das Urgestein unserer Schule.
With 30 years of service, Ms. Meier is the veteran of our school.
institution
A person who has belonged to a group for a long time and is well known can be called an Institution or an Urgestein (veteran). Institution emphasizes their recognized, firmly established position in the field, while Urgestein focuses more on their connection to the beginnings and their role as a founding figure. Choose Institution for status and Urgestein for history.
Nach vierzig Jahren im Verein gilt sie als echtes Urgestein und war schon bei der Gründung dabei.
After forty years with the club, she is considered a true veteran and was already there when it was founded.
Nach vierzig Jahren im Verein ist sie dort eine echte Institution.
After forty years with the club, she is a real institution there.
