der  Grund

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɡʁʊnt/

🧐 What does "der Grund" mean?

The word der Grund is a versatile masculine noun in German with several main meanings:

• Reason, cause, motive: This is likely the most common meaning. It describes why something happens or is done.
  • Example: Was ist der Grund für deine Verspätung? (What is the reason for your delay?)
• Ground, soil, earth: Here, "Grund" refers to the physical surface of the earth or the soil beneath our feet.
  • Example: Das Haus steht auf festem Grund. (The house stands on solid ground.)
• Basis, foundation: In a more figurative sense, "Grund" can represent the basis or foundation for something.
  • Example: Vertrauen ist der Grund jeder guten Beziehung. (Trust is the basis of every good relationship.)
• Property, land (often plural or in compounds): It can also mean land or property, often as "Grund und Boden".
  • Example: Sie besitzen viel Grund in dieser Gegend. (They own a lot of land/property in this area.)

🚨 Important: Although there are multiple meanings, the article is always der.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📐 Grammar of "der Grund" in Detail

"Grund" is a masculine noun (Maskulinum). The article is always der.

Declension Singular

Note: The dative ending "-e" (Grunde) is less common today but still used in fixed expressions like "im Grunde genommen" (basically).

Declension Plural

💡 Example Sentences

1. Reason/Motive: Der Grund für seine Freude war das gute Wetter. (The reason for his joy was the good weather.)
2. Ground: Wir analysierten die Beschaffenheit des Grundes. (We analyzed the condition of the ground.)
3. Basis: Auf diesem Grund lässt sich aufbauen. (One can build upon this basis.)
4. Property: Er kaufte den Grund nebenan. (He bought the property next door.)
5. Reasons/Motives: Die Gründe für seine Entscheidung sind vielfältig. (The reasons for his decision are diverse.)
6. Properties: Die Verwaltung der Gründe ist aufwendig. (The administration of the properties is complex.)
7. Reasons/Motives: Wir gehen den Gründen nach. (We are investigating the reasons.)
8. Reasons/Motives: Nenne mir die Gründe! (Tell me the reasons!)

🗣️ How to Use "Grund"

"Der Grund" is a frequently used word. Here are some typical contexts and phrases:

• Stating a reason: Often with prepositions like aus (from/out of) or wegen (because of).
  • Example: Aus diesem Grund konnte ich nicht kommen. (For this reason, I couldn't come.)
  • Example: Wegen eines wichtigen Grundes musste er gehen. (He had to leave because of an important reason.)
• The preposition "aufgrund" (or "auf Grund"): Indicates a cause (due to).
  • Example: Das Spiel wurde aufgrund des Regens abgesagt. (The game was canceled due to the rain. - The combined spelling is more common today)
• Im Grunde (genommen): Means "basically", "essentially".
  • Example: Im Grunde hast du recht. (Basically, you are right.)
• Grund genug: Sufficient reason.
  • Example: Das allein ist schon Grund genug zur Freude. (That alone is reason enough to be happy.)
• Grund und Boden: Refers to land/property.
  • Example: Er hat seinen gesamten Grund und Boden verkauft. (He sold all his land and property.)
• Von Grund auf: Means "from scratch", "completely".
  • Example: Wir müssen das System von Grund auf neu gestalten. (We need to redesign the system from scratch.)
• Ohne Grund: Without apparent cause/reason.
  • Example: Er wurde ohne Grund wütend. (He got angry for no reason.)

Comparison: While "Ursache" often emphasizes a more direct, causal link, "Grund" can also refer to a subjective motive or justification.

🧠 Memory Aids for "der Grund"

Mnemonic for the Article (der):

Think of a wise old man (der Mann) standing firmly on the ground (Grund) or searching for the deep reason (Grund) for everything. He needs a grand (sounds like Grund) reason! Also, 'reason' has 'son' in it, like a male (der).

Mnemonic for the Meanings:

Imagine you're standing on the ground (Grund) and dig deep to find the reason (Grund) why treasure is buried there. This discovery is the basis (Grund) for building your new house on this property (Grund). The ground is the groundwork (basis) and the reason you own the ground (property).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words (Watch out for confusion!):

• gründen: The verb "gründen" means "to found/establish" (eine Firma gründen - to found a company) or "to base on" (sich auf Fakten gründen - to be based on facts). It's related to "Grund".
• Grube (die): A pit or hole in the ground, not the ground itself.

😂 A Little Joke

Lehrer: "Wer kann mir einen Satz mit 'grundlos' bilden?"
Fritzchen: "Mein Vater lief gestern grundlos um den Häuserblock."
Lehrer: "Das heißt 'ohne Grund', Fritzchen."
Fritzchen: "Nee nee, er hatte schon seine Laufschuhe an!"

Translation:

Teacher: "Who can make a sentence with 'grundlos' (groundless/without ground)?"
Little Fritz: "Yesterday, my father ran around the block grundlos."
Teacher: "That should be 'ohne Grund' (without reason), Fritzchen."
Little Fritz: "No no, he already had his running shoes on!" (Playing on the literal meaning of 'groundless' vs. 'without reason').

📜 Poem about Grund

Auf festem Grund will jeder steh'n,
doch oft wir nach dem Grunde fleh'n.
Warum geschieht's, was ist der Sinn?
Wo führt der Weg des Lebens hin? Mal ist er Ursach', tief und schwer,
mal Land und Boden, weit umher.
Ein Wort, so schlicht, doch voller Wucht,
hat mancher schon nach ihm gesucht.

Translation:

On solid ground, everyone wants to stand,
but often for the reason we plead.
Why does it happen, what's the sense?
Where does life's path lead hence? Sometimes it's a cause, deep and severe,
sometimes land and soil, far and near.
A word so simple, yet full of might,
many have searched for it, day and night.

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich kann der Anfang sein, die tiefste Schicht,
man steht auf mir, doch sieht mich nicht.
Man fragt nach mir, wenn man's nicht weiß,
bin Ursache für Kalt und Heiß.
Man kauft und verkauft mich als Besitz.
Was bin ich wohl? Ein kleiner Witz?

Lösung/Solution: der Grund

Translation:

I can be the beginning, the deepest layer,
people stand on me, but don't see me there.
People ask for me when they don't know why,
I am the cause for cold and hot, low and high.
I am bought and sold as property.
What am I? A little jest, maybe?

Answer: der Grund (ground/reason/basis/property)

ℹ️ Further Information

Word Compounds (Wortzusammensetzungen):

"Grund" is very productive in forming compound words in German:

• Grundschule: Primary/elementary school (the basis of education).
• Grundgesetz: Basic Law (Germany's constitution, the legal foundation).
• Grundwasser: Groundwater.
• Hintergrund: Background (area behind the main subject; also the circumstances of something).
• Vordergrund: Foreground.
• grundlegend: Adjective meaning fundamental, basic.
• begründen: Verb meaning to give reasons for, to justify, to found.

Etymology:

The word "Grund" comes from the Old High German word "grunt", which originally could mean "sandy ground", "earth ground", or even "abyss". The figurative meaning "reason/cause" developed later.