die  Grundversorgung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈɡʁʊntfɛɐ̯ˌzɔʁɡʊŋ/

💡 What exactly is 'die Grundversorgung'?

Die Grundversorgung refers to the securing of the population's supply with essential goods and services. It signifies the basic provision that every citizen is entitled to, especially in areas such as:

• ⚡️ Energy (Strom und Gas - electricity and gas)
• 💧 Water (Wasser)
• 📞 Telecommunications (Telefon und Internet - telephone and internet)
• 📮 Postal services (Postdienste)
• ⚕️ Sometimes also aspects of healthcare (Gesundheitsversorgung) or local public transport (öffentlicher Nahverkehr)

The term emphasizes the right to a minimum standard of supply, often regulated by law (gesetzlich geregelt), to ensure that no one is excluded from vital services. The article is always die, because the core noun 'Versorgung' (supply) is feminine.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar at a Glance: Die Grundversorgung

The noun 'Grundversorgung' is feminine. It is primarily used in the singular as it describes a concept. The plural ('die Grundversorgungen') is rare and refers to different types or systems of basic supply.

Declension (Singular)

Here's how 'die Grundversorgung' changes in the different German cases (Fälle):

Example Sentences (Beispielsätze)

1. Jeder Haushalt hat Anspruch auf die Grundversorgung mit Strom.
   (Every household is entitled to the basic supply of electricity.)
2. Der Preis der Grundversorgung wird staatlich beobachtet.
   (The price of the basic supply is monitored by the state.)
3. Wir beziehen unser Gas über den Tarif der Grundversorgung.
   (We get our gas via the basic supply tariff.)

🗣️ How 'Grundversorgung' is Used

The term die Grundversorgung is primarily relevant in contexts dealing with essential services:

• Energy Contracts (Energieverträge): If you don't sign a specific electricity or gas contract, you automatically fall into the (often more expensive) Grundversorgungstarif (basic supply tariff) of the local provider.
• Social Law & Politics (Sozialrecht & Politik): Discussions about social justice (soziale Gerechtigkeit) and ensuring a minimum standard of living often refer to Grundversorgung.
• Infrastructure (Infrastruktur): When expanding networks (e.g., broadband internet), the goal is often to ensure nationwide basic supply (flächendeckende Grundversorgung).

It's a rather formal term, frequently found in official letters (amtliche Schreiben), contracts (Verträge), or political debates. In everyday life, people might simply talk about 'Strom' (electricity), 'Wasser' (water), or 'Heizung' (heating).

A related, but broader term is Daseinsvorsorge, which encompasses all state services aimed at ensuring a life in dignity.

🧠 Memory Aids for Grundversorgung

For the article 'die': Think of 'die' for the 'd'-elivery of essential services. Also, remember that many German nouns ending in '-ung' (like Versorgung) are feminine (die).

For the meaning: Imagine laying the 'Grund' (groundwork/foundation) for living. This requires a basic 'Versorgung' (supply) of essentials like power and water. That's the Grundversorgung – foundational supply.

↔️ Similar and Opposite Terms

⚠️ Be cautious with: Daseinsvorsorge. This term is broader and includes more public services provided by the state than just the material Grundversorgung.

😄 A Little Joke

Warum beschwert sich der Strom nie?
Weil er immer unter Spannung steht und zur Grundversorgung gehört – da muss man funktionieren!

(Why does electricity never complain?
Because it's always under tension (Spannung also means voltage/tension) and part of the basic supply – you just have to work!)

📜 A Little Poem

Das Licht geht an, das Wasser fließt,
die Heizung wärmt, man es genießt.
Was selbstverständlich oft erscheint,
ist Grundversorgung, gut gemeint.
Ein Recht für jeden, arm und reich,
macht unser Leben erst vergleich.

(The light comes on, the water flows,
the heating warms, as everyone knows.
What often seems just commonplace,
is basic supply, meant with grace.
A right for all, the poor, the rich,
makes our lives comparable, in its niche.)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bin kein Luxus, doch essenziell,
bring Wärme, Licht und Wasser schnell.
Der Staat schaut oft, dass ich besteh',
damit es allen Bürgern gut geh'.

Was bin ich?

(I'm no luxury, but essential quite,
Bringing warmth, water, and light.
The state often ensures I exist,
So all citizens' well-being persists.

What am I?)

Solution: die Grundversorgung

🧩 Further Details

Word Composition (Wortzusammensetzung)

The word is composed of:

• Grund: (ground, basis, foundation)
• Versorgung: (supply, provision)

So, literally: the basic supply.

Legal Relevance (Rechtliche Relevanz)

The term carries significant legal weight, for instance in the German Energy Industry Act (Energiewirtschaftsgesetz - EnWG), which regulates the basic supply of electricity and gas for household customers (Haushaltskunden).