zugrunde
Translation
as a basis, to ruin
Examples
Dem Vertrag liegt ein Fehler zugrunde.
The contract is based on an error.
Das alte Schiff ist zugrunde gegangen.
The old ship perished.
Er hat seine Gesundheit zugrunde gerichtet.
He ruined his health.
Grammar Patterns
((et3)) zugrunde liegen to be the basis of sth. A good idea is the basis of the plan.
zugrunde gehen to perish, to be ruined. The company went under.
((et4)) zugrunde richten to ruin sth. He ruined the company.
Similar Words
basieren auf (to be based on), zerstören (to destroy)
Etymology
From 'zu' (to) and 'Grunde' (dative of 'Grund', meaning ground, basis). Literally 'to the ground'.
Memory Tips
'To the ground' can imply either getting to the very basis of something ('zugrunde liegen') or being destroyed down to the ground ('zugrunde gehen').