principle

Grundsatz, Prinzip

Eine Überzeugung darüber, was richtig oder falsch ist, die das eigene Verhalten bestimmt.

In einfachem Englisch: A belief about right and wrong that guides how you behave.

• Honesty is an important principle for me.
• She refused the money on principle.
• Would you break your principles to help a friend?

So benutzt man es: on principle (He refuses to buy stolen goods on principle.); against someone’s principles (Lying to customers is against my principles.)

Synonyme: belief, value

Häufige Wendungen: moral principle, matter of principle, principle of honesty, a firm principle

Prinzip, Grundprinzip

Eine grundlegende Regel oder Idee, die erklärt, wie etwas funktioniert.

In einfachem Englisch: A basic rule or idea that explains how something works.

• The machine works on a simple principle.
• We studied the principles of flight.
• Can you explain the principle behind this design?

So benutzt man es: principle behind something (The principle behind the pump is easy to understand.); principle of something (We learned the principle of heat transfer.)

Synonyme: rule, law

Häufige Wendungen: basic principle, scientific principle, principle of something

Grundsatz, Prinzip

Eine grundlegende Überzeugung, Regel oder Ausgangsidee, auf der weitere Ideen oder Entscheidungen beruhen.

In einfachem Englisch: A basic belief, rule, or starting idea on which other ideas or decisions depend.

• Equality is a guiding principle of our organization.
• Their argument rests on two basic principles.
• We agreed on the principle that everyone should have a voice.

So benutzt man es: principle that + clause (We accept the principle that all votes have equal value.)

Synonyme: foundation, tenet

Häufige Wendungen: guiding principle, fundamental principle, principle of equality