die  Basis

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈbaːzɪs/

🔍 What does "die Basis" mean?

The word die Basis (feminine) has several meanings, often related to a foundation or starting point:

• Foundation, Base: The lowest part or support of something. Example: Vertrauen ist die Basis einer guten Beziehung. (Trust is the basis of a good relationship.)
• Starting point, Groundwork (abstract): A principle or idea upon which something is built. Example: Auf welcher Basis treffen Sie diese Entscheidung? (On what basis are you making this decision?)
• Chemistry: A substance that reacts with an acid to form a salt (an alkali). Example: Natriumhydroxid ist eine starke Basis. (Sodium hydroxide is a strong base.)
• Mathematics: A reference value, e.g., the base side of a geometric figure or the base number of a power or logarithm system. Example: Die Basis des Dreiecks beträgt 10 cm. (The base of the triangle is 10 cm.)
• Military: A base or headquarters. Example: Die Truppen kehrten zur Basis zurück. (The troops returned to the base.)
• Politics/Sociology: The general membership of an organization or party (as opposed to the leadership); the rank and file. Example: Die Parteiführung muss die Basis überzeugen. (The party leadership must convince the base/rank and file.)

⚠️ Pay attention to the context to understand the correct meaning.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar of "die Basis"

"Basis" is a feminine noun and uses the article die.

Declension

Here is how "die Basis" declines:

📝 Example Sentences

1. Die Basis des Arguments war fehlerhaft.
   (The basis of the argument was flawed.)
2. Wir benötigen die Daten der Basis.
   (We need the data from the base.)
3. Auf dieser Basis können wir weiterarbeiten.
   (On this basis, we can continue working.)
4. Der Architekt zeichnete die Basis des Gebäudes.
   (The architect drew the base of the building.)
5. Die verschiedenen Basen reagieren unterschiedlich stark.
   (The different bases react with varying intensity. - chemistry)
6. Die Meinungen der Basen wurden eingeholt.
   (The opinions of the bases/rank and file were gathered. - politics)

💡 How to use "die Basis"?

"Die Basis" is a versatile word used in various contexts:

• General: Often used as a synonym for "Grundlage" (foundation) or "Fundament" (foundation). Example: Eine gute Ausbildung ist die Basis für Erfolg. (A good education is the basis for success.)
• Scientific (Chemistry, Mathematics): Here it has specific technical meanings.
• Military/Organizational: Refers to bases or the membership of a group.
• Discussions/Argumentation: As a starting point or foundation for considerations. Example: Auf welcher Basis behaupten Sie das? (On what basis do you claim that?)

Difference to similar words:

• Grundlage: Very similar, often interchangeable in the general sense. "Basis" might sound slightly more concrete (e.g., die Basis einer Statue - the base of a statue).
• Fundament: Usually refers to the physical foundation of a building, but is also used metaphorically (like Basis/Grundlage).
• Sockel: More specifically the pedestal or plinth of a statue or column.

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Basis"

Article Mnemonic: Think of die Grundlage (the foundation) or maybe relate it to the English word 'base' ending in 'e', which is common for feminine German nouns ending in '-e'. The base (Basis) is feminine: die Basis.

Meaning Mnemonic: The English word "base" sounds very similar and covers almost the exact same range of meanings (base of a triangle, military base, chemical base). If you know "base", you know the main meanings of die Basis.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Potential Confusion:

• Sometimes people might confuse "Basis" with terms like "Quote" (quota/rate) or "Rate" (rate) when discussing calculation bases, but "Basis" refers to the starting value itself.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Chemielehrer: "Was ist die grundlegendste Basis für unser Leben?"
Schüler: "Na, die Wasser-Basis! Ohne H₂O geht nix!"
Lehrer: "Nicht ganz die chemische Definition, aber eine wichtige Grundlage!" 😄

Translation:
The chemistry teacher asks: "What is the most fundamental basis for our lives?"
Student: "Well, the water basis! Nothing works without H₂O!"
Teacher: "Not quite the chemical definition, but an important foundation!" 😄

✍️ Poem about "die Basis"

Ein Haus braucht festen Stand,
gebaut auf sicherem Land.
Die Basis, stark und breit,
trägt es durch die Zeit.

Auch Wissen braucht den Grund,
zu jeder Stund'.
Die Basis muss es sein,
sonst fällt alles ein.

Translation:
A house needs a firm stand,
built on safe land.
The base, strong and wide,
carries it through time.

Knowledge also needs the ground,
at every hour.
The basis it must be,
or else everything collapses.

🧩 Riddle

Ich bin der Anfang, das Fundament,
in Chemie und Mathe wohlbekannt.
Soldaten kehren zu mir heim,
ohne mich bricht vieles ein.

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I am the beginning, the foundation,
well-known in chemistry and math.
Soldiers return home to me,
without me, much collapses.

What am I?

Solution: die Basis

🧐 Other Interesting Information

Etymology (Word Origin): The word "Basis" comes from the Greek word básis (βᾶσις), meaning "step", "gait" or "foundation", "pedestal". It entered German via the Latin basis.

Compound Words: "Basis" is part of many compound words in German:

• Datenbasis (database)
• Wissensbasis (knowledge base)
• Verhandlungsbasis (basis for negotiation)
• Militärbasis (military base)
• Basislager (base camp)
• Basiszinssatz (base interest rate)