1. the solid base or layer beneath a building
建築物下方的堅實地基或底層
The workers poured concrete to lay the foundation of the new house.
工人們澆築混凝土來為新房子打下地基。
The earthquake caused cracks in the building's foundation.
地震導致建築物的地基出現裂縫。
Foundation Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
foundation
noun
快速理解
What does "Foundation" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Foundation"?
foundation 指一個實體或概念上的基礎，可以是建築物的地基、組織的創立，或是某事物的根本依據。
- 1
建築地基
EN: the solid base of a building, usually below ground level
翻譯: 建築物的堅實基礎，通常位於地面以下
- 2
組織/機構
EN: an organization established to fund or support a cause
翻譯: 為資助或支持某項事業而成立的組織
- 3
根本基礎
EN: the underlying basis or principle on which something is built
翻譯: 某事物賴以建立的基礎或根本原則
- 4
創立/建立
EN: the act of founding or establishing something
翻譯: 創立或建立某事物的行為
小提醒：注意 foundation 和 basis 的細微差別：foundation 通常指更實質、更穩固的基礎（如建築地基或組織），而 basis 多用於指抽象概念、理論或計算的基礎（如討論的基礎、計算的基準）。
發音（How to Pronounce "Foundation" in English）
How to pronounce "Foundation" in English?"Foundation" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Foundation" from YouTube Videos
Steven Schwaitzberg: A universal translator for surgeons
TED
“It starts with a foundation, basic skills. We build on that and we take people, hopefully, to the operating room where they learn to be an assistant.”
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Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Foundation"?How does "Foundation" change by context?
2. an underlying basis or principle for something
某事物的根本基礎或原則
Trust is the foundation of a strong relationship.
信任是穩固關係的基礎。
The theory lacks a solid scientific foundation.
這個理論缺乏堅實的科學基礎。
3. an organization established to provide funding for a cause
為某項事業提供資金而成立的組織
She donated a large sum to the cancer research foundation.
她向癌症研究基金會捐贈了一大筆款項。
The foundation provides scholarships for underprivileged students.
該基金會為弱勢學生提供獎學金。
4. the act of founding or establishing something
創立或建立某事物的行為
The foundation of the university dates back to the 18th century.
這所大學的創立可追溯到18世紀。
They celebrated the foundation of their new company.
他們慶祝了新公司的成立。
5. a cosmetic applied to the face to create an even base
塗抹在臉上以打造均勻底妝的化妝品
She applied foundation before putting on her eye makeup.
她在化眼妝之前先上了粉底。
This foundation provides good coverage for blemishes.
這款粉底對瑕疵有很好的遮蓋力。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Foundation"?How to make natural sentences with "Foundation"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| foundation + of + [something] | …的基礎 | The foundation of a strong relationship is trust. (一段穩固關係的基礎是信任。) |
| lay/provide a foundation for + [something] | 為…奠定基礎 | This course lays a foundation for advanced study. (這門課程為進階學習奠定了基礎。) |
| on the foundation of + [something] | 基於…的基礎上 | The theory was built on the foundation of earlier research. (這個理論是建立在早期研究的基礎上。) |
| shake/undermine the foundation of + [something] | 動搖/破壞…的根基 | The scandal shook the foundation of the institution. (這樁醜聞動搖了該機構的根基。) |
| solid/strong/firm foundation | 穩固/堅實的基礎 | He built his business on a solid foundation. (他在穩固的基礎上建立了自己的事業。) |
| without foundation | 沒有根據的 | The rumors were completely without foundation. (這些謠言完全沒有根據。) |
用法說明
How is "Foundation" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Foundation"?
foundation of vs foundation for
- foundation of 通常指某個具體、已存在事物的「基礎」或「根基」，強調構成核心的部分。
- foundation for 則更常指向未來的、作為「基礎」或「依據」的事物，為後續發展或行動提供支持。
- 在描述一個組織、機構或理論的基礎時，兩者常可互換，但細微差別在於 of 偏向「組成」，for 偏向「目的」。
- 在建築或具體結構上，通常使用 foundation of。 EN: They laid the foundation of the new library last month. 翻譯: 他們上個月為新圖書館打下了地基。
EN:This research provides a solid foundation for future studies.
翻譯:這項研究為未來的研究奠定了堅實的基礎。
總結建議
一般來說，描述具體已存在的基礎用 of，而為未來目的打基礎則用 for，但在抽象概念上兩者區別細微。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Foundation" and similar words?How to choose "Foundation" vs alternatives?
foundation vs basis
「foundation」通常指具體的建築地基或組織機構，而「basis」則多用於抽象概念、理論或計算的基礎。
foundation vs groundwork
「foundation」強調已建立且穩固的基礎結構，而「groundwork」則側重於為未來發展所做的初步準備工作。
foundation vs cornerstone
「foundation」指整體的基礎結構，而「cornerstone」則比喻為最重要、不可或缺的核心部分或起始點。
口語用法
How is "Foundation" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Foundation"?
引述
在口語中，有時會用 "foundation" 來引述或提及某個廣為人知的概念或原則。 EN: You know, the whole "foundation of trust" thing is really important in a team. 翻譯: 你知道，團隊裡那個「信任基礎」的東西真的很重要。
EN:He kept talking about the "foundation of democracy," but I'm not sure everyone understood.
翻譯:他一直在講「民主的基礎」，但我不確定大家都聽懂了。
語氣強調
在對話中，可以透過重讀或重複 "foundation" 來強調某事的根本性或重要性。 EN: That's not just a detail—it's the foundation. The foundation of the whole project. 翻譯: 那不只是個細節——那是基礎。是整個專案的基礎。
EN:We need to get back to the foundation. I mean, what are we even trying to build here?
翻譯:我們需要回歸基礎。我的意思是，我們到底想建立什麼？
停頓填充
在組織思緒或尋找合適詞語時，"foundation" 偶爾會被用作一個短暫的停頓填充詞，尤其是在較為正式的討論中。 EN: Our strategy, the foundation... uh, the core idea is sustainable growth. 翻譯: 我們的策略，那個基礎…呃，核心思想是可持續增長。
EN:To understand this, you have to look at the historical... foundation... the context, really.
翻譯:要理解這個，你必須看看歷史的…基礎… 其實是背景。
請注意：以上口語用法帶有隨意、即興的色彩。在正式寫作（如學術論文、商業報告）中，應避免將 "foundation" 用作停頓填充詞，並確保其用法精確、符合上下文，以維持文體的嚴謹性。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Foundation"?What fixed phrases with "Foundation" should I remember?
lay the foundation
lay the foundation (for/of something)
為…奠定基礎
solid foundation
solid foundation
堅實的基礎
shake to its foundations
shake something to its foundations
從根本上動搖
without foundation
without foundation
沒有根據的，無稽之談
charitable foundation
charitable foundation
慈善基金會
on the foundation
build/be based on the foundation of something
建立在…的基礎上
foundation stone
foundation stone
基石；基礎
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Foundation"?Which "Foundation" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×The company has a strong base in customer service.
✓The company has a strong foundation in customer service.
雖然 'base' 和 'foundation' 都有基礎的意思，但 'foundation' 更強調作為支撐或發展起點的穩固、根本的基礎，尤其用於抽象概念（如價值觀、知識、關係）。'Base' 通常指具體的基地或根據地。
×They laid the foundation of the new hospital last year.
✓They laid the foundation for the new hospital last year.
表示「為...奠定基礎」時，應使用介系詞 'for'，而不是 'of'。'Lay the foundation for something' 是固定搭配。
×She works for a foundation that helps poor children.
✓She works for a foundation that helps underprivileged children.
在正式或慈善語境中，描述需要幫助的群體時，'underprivileged'（弱勢的）比 'poor'（貧窮的）更為得體和常用。'Foundation' 常指基金會，用詞需更精準。
×Without a solid foundation, the building will easily fall.
✓Without a solid foundation, the building will easily collapse.
描述建築物因結構問題（如地基不穩）而倒下時，更準確的動詞是 'collapse'（倒塌），而非泛指掉落的 'fall'。
×He built his business from the foundation.
✓He built his business from the ground up.
表示「從零開始、白手起家」建立某事物時，地道的英文慣用語是 'from the ground up'，而不是直譯的 'from the foundation'。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Foundation"?What are tense/participle forms of "Foundation"?