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.
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
'die Institution' and 'das Urgestein' can both describe a person who has belonged to a group or field for a very long time. 'die Institution' sounds a little more neutral and can also refer to a thing or place that is a fixed part of something. 'das Urgestein' almost always refers to a person and sounds more personal, often also admiring. It fits especially well in clubs, companies, or groups when someone has been there from the beginning or has a great deal of experience. The words can be confused when you want to describe a person who has been known for a long time. For people, both are possible, but 'Urgestein' is more figurative and informal.
Unser Trainer ist ein Urgestein des Vereins und kennt jede Geschichte.
Our coach is a veteran of the club and knows every story.
Frau Becker ist im Theater seit dreißig Jahren eine Institution.
Ms. Becker has been an institution at the theater for thirty years.