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fundamento

foon-dah-MEN-toh/fundaˈmento/

foundation

Also: basis, basics
NounmB1
A sturdy stone base of a building being constructed on solid ground.

📝 In Action

La libertad es el fundamento de nuestra sociedad.

B1

Freedom is the foundation of our society.

Necesitas aprender los fundamentos del dibujo antes de pintar.

B1

You need to learn the basics of drawing before painting.

El edificio tiene un fundamento muy sólido.

B2

The building has a very solid foundation.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • superficialidad (shallowness/lack of depth)

Common Collocations

  • fundamentos básicos – basic principles
  • sin fundamento – without basis/groundless

grounds

Also: justification
NounmB2
A thick pile of organized paper documents with a large wax seal representing official proof.

📝 In Action

Sus acusaciones no tienen fundamento.

B2

His accusations have no grounds (they are baseless).

El juez desestimó el caso por falta de fundamento legal.

C1

The judge dismissed the case due to lack of legal grounds.

Habla con fundamento si quieres que te crean.

B2

Speak with evidence if you want them to believe you.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • justificación (justification)
  • motivo (reason/motive)

Common Collocations

  • tener fundamento – to have a solid basis
  • carecer de fundamento – to lack any basis

common sense

Also: reliability
NounmC1informal
A calm person sitting quietly and thoughtfully while others around them are rushing.

📝 In Action

Ese chico no tiene fundamento; siempre está bromeando en momentos serios.

C1

That boy has no common sense; he's always joking at serious moments.

Es un hombre de mucho fundamento.

C1

He is a very serious and reliable man.

Haz las cosas con fundamento.

C1

Do things with proper care and seriousness.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • juicio (judgment/sense)
  • seriedad (seriousness)
  • sensatez (level-headedness)

Antonyms

  • informalidad (unreliability)

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: fundamento

Question 1 of 3

If a lawyer says an accusation is 'sin fundamento', what does he mean?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
fundar(to found / to start) — Verb
fundamental(essential) — Adjective
fundamentar(to base (something) on) — Verb
fundación(foundation (organization)) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin 'fundamentum', which refers to the bottom or lowest part of a structure, coming from 'fundus' (bottom).

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: foundationFrench: fondementItalian: fondamento

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can 'fundamento' be a verb?

No, 'fundamento' is a noun. However, 'yo fundamento' is the first-person form of the verb 'fundamentar' (I base/I ground).

What is the difference between 'base' and 'fundamento'?

They are very similar. 'Base' is more general and often physical. 'Fundamento' is often used for abstract things like laws, ideas, or logic.

How do I say 'baseless' in Spanish?

The most natural way is 'sin fundamento' (without foundation).