A single sturdy wooden pillar standing in the center of a foundation, supporting a heavy roof.

fundamental

foon-dah-men-TAHL

adjectivem/fB1

essential?meaning something is a core requirement,fundamental?referring to the base or foundation of something

Also:key?a vital element of a plan or idea,basic?relating to the most simple and necessary parts

📝 In Action

El respeto es fundamental en una buena amistad.

Respect is essential in a good friendship.

Necesitamos un cambio fundamental en nuestra estrategia.

We need a fundamental change in our strategy.

Es una pieza fundamental del motor.

It is a key part of the engine.

Word Connections

Synonyms

esencial (essential)
básico (basic)
primordial (paramount/primary)

Antonyms

secundario (secondary)
superficial (superficial)
accesorio (unnecessary/extra)

Common Collocations

derechos fundamentales – fundamental rights
pilar fundamental – key pillar / main foundation
algo fundamental – something essential

💡 Grammar Points

One Form for All

This word is 'gender-neutral.' Whether you are describing a masculine noun like 'el libro' or a feminine noun like 'la idea,' the word 'fundamental' stays exactly the same.

Plural Pattern

To make this word plural, simply add '-es' to the end: 'los factores fundamentales' or 'las herramientas fundamentales'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Ending with 'a'

Mistake: "la idea fundamentala"

Correction: la idea fundamental. Even though 'idea' ends in 'a,' words ending in 'l' don't change their ending for feminine words.

⭐ Usage Tips

Natural Word Order

In Spanish, we usually put 'fundamental' after the noun it describes. For example, say 'un paso fundamental' (a fundamental step) rather than 'un fundamental paso'.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: fundamental

Question 1 of 2

How would you say 'the fundamental ideas' in Spanish?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

fundamento(foundation/basis) - noun

fundamentalmente(fundamentally) - adverb

fundar(to found/to start) - verb

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'fundamental' stronger than 'importante'?

Yes. While 'importante' means important, 'fundamental' suggests that something is so necessary that the whole thing would fall apart without it.

Can I use 'fundamental' to describe people?

Yes! You can say 'Ella es una pieza fundamental del equipo' (She is a fundamental part of the team).