1.
foundation stone, cornerstone
Originally the stone placed at the base of a building to support its structure. Now primarily used figuratively to mean the fundamental basis or groundwork upon which something important is built.
平和の礎を築く。
To build the foundation of peace.
この研究が現代医学の礎となった。
This research became the cornerstone of modern medicine.
先人たちが築いた礎の上に、今の繁栄がある。
Today's prosperity stands on the foundation that our predecessors built.
USAGE:
A literary and elevated word for foundation or basis. Almost always used figuratively in modern Japanese. The literal meaning (a foundation stone in construction) is rare outside of historical contexts.
Compare with 基盤 (base, infrastructure — more concrete and practical) and 土台 (foundation — can be literal or figurative, less formal).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 礎を築く: to build a foundation
- 礎となる: to become a cornerstone
- 礎を据える: to lay a foundation
- 平和の礎: the foundation of peace