der  Grundstock

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈɡʁʊntʃtɔk/

What does 'der Grundstock' mean? 📚💰🌱

Der Grundstock refers to a fundamental quantity, a basis, or a core stock of something. It represents the foundation upon which further things can be built. This can apply to various areas:

• Finance/Economy: The initial capital, the core inventory of goods or assets (e.g., der Grundstock eines Vermögens - the foundation of a fortune).
• Knowledge/Collection: A basic level of knowledge or the core items of a collection (e.g., der Grundstock an Fachliteratur - the basic stock of specialist literature).
• Biology/Agriculture: The breeding stock or the basic stock of plants (e.g., der Grundstock für die Rosenzucht - the foundation stock for rose breeding).

It always refers to the indispensable core, the solid starting point.

The Grammatical Foundation: Declining 'Grundstock'

The word 'Grundstock' is a masculine noun. Its article is 'der'. Here is its declension:

Example Sentences

1. Mit diesen Aktien legte er den Grundstock für sein Vermögen. (With these shares, he laid the foundation for his wealth.)
2. Ein solider Grundstock an Wissen ist für diesen Beruf unerlässlich. (A solid foundation of knowledge is essential for this profession.)
3. Die Bibliothek verfügt über einen beeindruckenden Grundstock an Erstausgaben. (The library has an impressive core collection of first editions.)
4. Der Züchter baute auf einem kleinen Grundstock widerstandsfähiger Tiere auf. (The breeder built upon a small foundation stock of resilient animals.)

When to use 'Grundstock'?

The term 'Grundstock' is used when you want to emphasize the essential basis or core inventory of something. It implies that this stock is necessary to build or develop something further.

• In an economic context: Often for the start-up capital of a company or the core inventory of goods in a warehouse.
• In education: For fundamental knowledge or a core collection of books/materials.
• In collections: The most important pieces that form the core of the collection.
• In biology/agriculture: The original stock of animals or plants for breeding or propagation.

Compared to Basis or Fundament, which are often more abstract, Grundstock more frequently emphasizes a concrete, countable, or material core stock.

Memory Aids for 'der Grundstock'

For the article 'der': Imagine der Mann (the man) laying the Grund (groundwork) with a big Stock (stick) – he's creating der Grundstock.

For the meaning: Think of the Grund (ground/base) and a tree Stock (trunk) – it forms the Grundstock, the solid, indispensable core from which everything grows.

Related and Opposite Terms 🤝

⚠️ Caution: Do not confuse with Stock (floor, storey, stick) or Grund (reason, cause, ground, land).

A Little Joke 😂

Warum hat der Investor seinen Keller 'Grundstock' genannt?

Weil dort sein ganzes Anfangskapital lagerte – in Form von alten Socken!

(Why did the investor call his cellar 'Grundstock'? Because his entire initial capital (Grundstock) was stored there – in the form of old socks!)

Grundstock in Verse 📜

Ein fester Grundstock, wohl bedacht,
Hat schon so manchen reich gemacht.
Ob Wissen, Geld, ob Pflanzenschar,
Er ist der Anfang, hell und klar.
Darauf zu bauen, Stein auf Stein,
So soll das Werk gelungen sein.

(A solid foundation stock, well-considered,
Has already made many rich.
Whether knowledge, money, or a host of plants,
It is the beginning, bright and clear.
To build upon it, stone by stone,
Thus the work shall succeed.)

A Little Riddle to Puzzle Over 🤔

Ich bin der Anfang, oft gezählt,
Die Basis, die noch niemals fehlt.
Bin Kapital, Wissen oder Saat,
Auf mir beruht die künft'ge Tat.

Was bin ich?

(I am the beginning, often counted,
The basis that is never missing.
I am capital, knowledge, or seed,
On me rests the future deed.

What am I?)

Solution: Der Grundstock

Trivia and Origin 🤓

The word 'Grundstock' is composed of:

• Grund: Meaning basis, foundation, ground, bottom part.
• Stock: Meaning trunk, stem, core stock, inventory (related to tree trunk or a stick as a base).

So, the literal translation is 'base-trunk' or 'base-stock'. Originally, it might have referred to the rootstock of plants from which new shoots emerge, but the meaning was then transferred to other domains.