die  Grundsteinlegung

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈɡʁʊntʃtaɪ̯nˌleːɡʊŋ/

🏛️ What does 'die Grundsteinlegung' mean?

The German noun die Grundsteinlegung refers to the ceremonial act of laying the first, symbolic stone (der Grundstein - foundation stone) for a new building. It is an important ceremonial milestone at the beginning of a construction project.

Often, a so-called Zeitkapsel (time capsule, usually a metal cylinder) is immured in the foundation stone. This typically contains current newspapers, coins, documents, or other contemporary artifacts intended to give future generations insight into the time when construction began.

Because the word ends in '-ung', it is feminine: die Grundsteinlegung.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar at a Glance: die Grundsteinlegung

The noun 'Grundsteinlegung' is feminine. Here is its declension:

📝 Example Sentences

• Die Grundsteinlegung für das neue Rathaus findet nächste Woche statt.
  (The foundation stone laying ceremony for the new town hall takes place next week.)
• Zur feierlichen Grundsteinlegung waren viele prominente Gäste geladen.
  (Many prominent guests were invited to the solemn foundation stone laying ceremony.)
• In der Urkunde zur Grundsteinlegung wurden die Namen der Bauherren erwähnt.
  (The names of the builders were mentioned in the document for the foundation stone laying ceremony.)

How and when is 'Grundsteinlegung' used?

The term Grundsteinlegung is primarily used in the context of construction projects, especially for larger or public buildings such as town halls, schools, hospitals, or corporate headquarters.

• Symbolic Act: The ceremony has strong symbolic meaning and marks the official start of construction, often associated with wishes for the project's success.
• Public Event: Grundsteinlegungen are often public events attended by the press, politicians, investors, and other important figures.
• Difference from Spatenstich: The Grundsteinlegung often follows the erster Spatenstich (groundbreaking ceremony), which marks the actual start of excavation work. The Grundsteinlegung specifically refers to laying the foundation stone.
• Comparison with Richtfest: The Richtfest (topping-out ceremony) takes place later, when the roof truss is erected.

It is a fixed term for this specific ceremony.

💡 How to Remember 'die Grundsteinlegung'

Article Mnemonic: Words ending in -ung are almost always feminine in German (die). Think of the 'laying' (Legung) of the stone as a delicate act needing care, maybe stereotypically a 'feminine' quality. So: die Grundsteinlegung.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine the ceremony where the Grund (ground/foundation) Stein (stone) is ceremoniously leg-t (laid). The '-ung' suffix turns the action into a noun: the ground-stone-laying ceremony.

🔄 Similar and Opposing Terms

😂 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Bauherr den Architekten bei der Grundsteinlegung: "Ist das Fundament wirklich stabil genug?" Sagt der Architekt: "Aber sicher! Zumindest bis zum Richtfest hält es garantiert!" 😉

English: The client asks the architect at the foundation stone laying ceremony: "Is the foundation really stable enough?" The architect replies: "Absolutely! It's guaranteed to hold up at least until the topping-out ceremony!" 😉

📜 A Poem for the Ceremony

German:
Der erste Stein, ins Fundament gesenkt,
Ein Haus, ein Heim, das Zukunft schenkt.
Die Kelle klopft, die Urkund' liegt bereit,
Grundsteinlegung für die Ewigkeit.
Möge das Werk gelingen, fest und klar,
Ein Segen ruh'n auf diesem Bau, fürwahr!

English Translation:
The first stone, sunk into the foundation deep,
A house, a home, that future promises to keep.
The trowel taps, the document lies near,
Foundation laying, banishing all fear.
May the work succeed, steadfast and bright,
A blessing rest upon this building site!

🧩 Little Riddle

German:
Ich bin ein Fest, doch nicht zum Tanzen,
Ich starte Bauten, große, ganze.
Ein Stein mit Kapsel wird vermauert tief,
Bevor der Kran die Lasten hiev.

Was bin ich?

English:
I am a celebration, but not for dancing,
I start constructions, large, advancing.
A stone with a capsule is immured below,
Before the crane starts lifting, high and low.

What am I?

Solution: die Grundsteinlegung (the foundation stone laying ceremony)

✨ Other Interesting Details

Word Composition: The word 'Grundsteinlegung' is a compound noun formed from:

• Grund: ground, basis, foundation
• Stein: stone (the symbolic first stone)
• Legung: the act of laying (derived from the verb 'legen' - to lay, with the suffix '-ung' creating a noun)

Time Capsule Tradition: As mentioned, immuring a Zeitkapsel (time capsule, also called 'Dokumentenhülse' - document cylinder) is a common part of many Grundsteinlegung ceremonies. Its contents are intended to provide information about the construction period to future generations or to those who might find it during a potential demolition.