Meaning
The fundamental basis or essential part of something.
Cultural Background
The phrase is deeply tied to the Synodal translation of the Bible, making it sound 'eternal' and 'divine' to some listeners. Used in state propaganda to describe 'unshakable' ideologies. Today, it's used by all sides to claim their values are the most 'foundational'. In Russian universities, using this phrase in a thesis defense shows a high level of academic literacy. 19th-century writers like Dostoevsky used it to discuss moral foundations, cementing its place in 'high' Russian.
Use with 'Являться'
For maximum 'native' feel in writing, use: [Subject] является краеугольным камнем [Genitive Noun].
Don't overdo it
Using this more than once in a single essay makes your writing feel repetitive and heavy.
Meaning
The fundamental basis or essential part of something.
Use with 'Являться'
For maximum 'native' feel in writing, use: [Subject] является краеугольным камнем [Genitive Noun].
Don't overdo it
Using this more than once in a single essay makes your writing feel repetitive and heavy.
The 'Base' Slang
Younger Russians might say 'Это база' (That's base) instead of this phrase. Know your audience!
Test Yourself
Заполните пропуск в правильном падеже.
Свобода слова является _________ _________ демократии.
После глагола 'являться' используется творительный падеж.
Выберите наиболее подходящий контекст для использования фразы.
В каком предложении фраза 'краеугольный камень' звучит наиболее естественно?
Фраза используется для фундаментальных научных или философских основ.
Соотнесите начало и конец фразы.
Соедините части предложений.
Проверка понимания падежей и логических связей.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercisesСвобода слова является _________ _________ демократии.
После глагола 'являться' используется творительный падеж.
В каком предложении фраза 'краеугольный камень' звучит наиболее естественно?
Фраза используется для фундаментальных научных или философских основ.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Проверка понимания падежей и логических связей.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsUsually, yes. It refers to a necessary foundation. However, you could say something negative is the cornerstone of a bad system (e.g., 'Corruption is the cornerstone of their regime').
Rarely. For people, 'столп' (pillar) or 'опора' (support) is more common. 'He is the cornerstone of the team' sounds a bit like he is an object.
Almost never. It is a fixed collocation with 'камень'.
No, that would be literal and lose the idiomatic meaning of 'foundation'.
Related Phrases
камень преткновения
contrastA stumbling block/obstacle
основа основ
synonymThe very basis
фундамент
similarFoundation
альфа и омега
similarThe beginning and the end
