die  Grundvoraussetzung

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈɡʁʊntfɔʁaʊ̯sˌzɛt͡sʊŋ/

📚 What does 'die Grundvoraussetzung' mean?

'Die Grundvoraussetzung' is a feminine noun meaning a fundamental prerequisite, an essential condition, or a basic requirement. It's something that absolutely must be fulfilled before something else can happen or be achieved.

Think of it as the most important condition, the non-negotiable basis for a specific purpose, goal, or state. Without it, the desired outcome isn't possible.

Example: A university degree is often die Grundvoraussetzung (the basic requirement) for certain professions.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Grundvoraussetzung

'Die Grundvoraussetzung' is a feminine noun. Its declension is as follows:

Example Sentences (with Translations)

1. Motivation ist die Grundvoraussetzung für erfolgreiches Lernen.
   (Motivation is the basic prerequisite for successful learning.)
2. Die Erfüllung der Grundvoraussetzung war entscheidend.
   (Fulfilling the basic prerequisite was crucial.)
3. Wir widmeten uns zuerst der Grundvoraussetzung.
   (We first addressed the basic prerequisite.)
4. Er nannte die Grundvoraussetzung für das Projekt.
   (He named the basic prerequisite for the project.)
5. Welche Grundvoraussetzungen müssen erfüllt sein?
   (Which basic prerequisites must be met?)

🗣️ How to use 'Grundvoraussetzung'?

'Die Grundvoraussetzung' is used to emphasize a non-negotiable, fundamental condition. It often appears in contexts where requirements or criteria for something are being defined.

• Education and Profession: Often refers to formal qualifications (e.g., Schulabschluss - school leaving certificate, Studium - university degree) or essential skills (e.g., Sprachkenntnisse - language skills). Example: Gute Deutschkenntnisse sind eine Grundvoraussetzung für diese Stelle. (Good German skills are a basic requirement for this position.)
• Logic and Argumentation: Can denote a fundamental assumption or premise upon which an argument is built. Example: Die Existenz von Kausalität ist eine Grundvoraussetzung vieler wissenschaftlicher Theorien. (The existence of causality is a fundamental prerequisite of many scientific theories.)
• Projects and Plans: Describes the indispensable elements that must be in place before a project can start. Example: Die Finanzierung ist die Grundvoraussetzung für den Baubeginn. (Financing is the basic requirement for the start of construction.)

Compared to 'Voraussetzung' (prerequisite, condition), 'Grundvoraussetzung' stresses the absolute necessity and the foundational nature of the condition.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Remembering the Article: Many abstract nouns ending in '-ung' are feminine ('die'), like 'die Bedingung' (the condition) and 'die Voraussetzung' (the prerequisite). Since 'Grundvoraussetzung' is the most fundamental ('Grund') prerequisite, keep it feminine: die Grundvoraussetzung.

Remembering the Meaning: Think of 'Grund' as 'ground' or 'foundation'. A 'Voraussetzung' is a prerequisite. So, 'Grundvoraussetzung' is literally the 'ground prerequisite' – the foundational requirement you need before anything else can be built upon it.

↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Note: 'Voraussetzung' is more general than 'Grundvoraussetzung'. Every 'Grundvoraussetzung' is a 'Voraussetzung', but not every 'Voraussetzung' is fundamental enough to be a 'Grundvoraussetzung'.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum braucht ein Mathematiker immer einen Bleistift?
(Why does a mathematician always need a pencil?)

Weil das Schreiben die Grundvoraussetzung dafür ist, seine Gedanken zu Papier zu bringen – und Radieren die Grundvoraussetzung dafür, so zu tun, als hätte man keine Fehler gemacht!
(Because writing is the basic requirement for putting thoughts on paper – and erasing is the basic requirement for pretending you didn't make any mistakes!)

📜 A Poem about the Prerequisite

Ohne Fundament kein hohes Haus,
(Without a foundation, no tall house,)
ohne Wurzeln treibt kein Keimlein aus.
(Without roots, no seedling sprouts.)
Was wirklich zählt, von Anbeginn,
(What really counts, from the very start,)
ist die Grundvoraussetzung tief drin.
(Is the basic prerequisite deep within.)
Der erste Schritt, die Basis klar,
(The first step, the basis clear,)
sonst wird kein Traum, kein Plan je wahr.
(Otherwise, no dream, no plan becomes real.)

🕵️‍♀️ Little Riddle

Ich bin kein Wunsch, ich bin ein Muss,
(I am not a wish, I am a must,)
ohne mich gibt's oft Verdruss.
(Without me, there's often distress.)
Ich steh am Anfang, bin fundamental,
(I stand at the beginning, am fundamental,)
erfülle mich, sonst droht die Qual.
(Fulfill me, or suffering threatens.)

Was bin ich? / What am I?

Lösung / Answer: die Grundvoraussetzung

🧩 Word Components and Origin

'Die Grundvoraussetzung' is a compound noun (Kompositum):

• Grund-: Means base, foundation, origin. Here it strengthens the following word, emphasizing its fundamental nature.
• die Voraussetzung: A condition that must be met for something else to happen (from 'voraussetzen' - to presuppose, assume, or require).

Together, they form the meaning of a fundamental, basic condition.