基础 (jīchǔ) — foundation, basis
HSK 5 | noun | the foundational base upon which something is built
基础 (jīchǔ)
基础 refers to the foundation or basis upon which something is built, whether physical, intellectual, or institutional, implying the indispensable groundwork that supports everything above it.
Meanings
- [noun] foundation, basis, groundwork (physical or abstract)
- [adjective] basic, foundational (as in 基础教育, basic education)
Example Sentences
扎实的理论基础是进行高水平研究的前提。 Zhāshí de lǐlùn jīchǔ shì jìnxíng gāo shuǐpíng yánjiū de qiántí. A solid theoretical foundation is a prerequisite for conducting high-level research.
诚信是社会文明的重要基础。 Chéngxìn shì shèhuì wénmíng de zhòng yào jīchǔ. Integrity is an important foundation of social civilization.
基础教育的质量直接影响国家未来的发展潜力。 Jīchǔ jiàoyù de zhìliàng zhíjiē yǐngxiǎng guójiā wèilái de fāzhǎn qiánlì. The quality of basic education directly affects a country's future development potential.
这栋大楼的地基基础出了问题，整体结构受到威胁。 Zhè dòng dàlóu de dìjī jīchǔ chū le wèntí, zhěngtǐ jiégòu shòudào wēixié. The foundation of this building has a problem, and the overall structure is threatened.
他的成功得益于他在青年时期打下的坚实基础。 Tā de chénggōng déyì yú tā zài qīngnián shíqī dǎ xià de jiānshí jīchǔ. His success is due to the solid foundation he laid in his youth.
在现有基础上进一步创新，是这个团队的目标。 Zài xiànyǒu jīchǔ shàng jìnyībù chuàngxīn, shì zhège tuánduì de mùbiāo. Further innovation on the existing foundation is the goal of this team.
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 打好基础 | to lay a good foundation |
| 基础教育 | basic education |
| 理论基础 | theoretical foundation |
| 坚实基础 | solid foundation |
| 在...基础上 | on the basis of, building on |
| 基础设施 | infrastructure |
Usage Notes
基础 is one of the most fundamental and widely used nouns in Chinese. It works both as a standalone noun (他的中文基础很好 -- his Chinese foundation is solid) and as an adjective modifier (基础教育, 基础研究). The preposition phrase 在...基础上 (on the basis of, building on) is a very common construction in academic and official writing.
At B2 level, 基础 is essential for virtually every domain of academic, professional, and everyday discourse involving preparation, prerequisites, and groundwork.
Memory Hook
基 means a base or foundation (like the base of a building), and 础 also means a plinth or base stone -- 基础 is doubly foundational, the base stones upon which everything rests.