General meaning:
* Pang-pundasyon - This is the most direct translation and literally means "for the foundation."
* Pang-ugat - This translates to "for the root" and emphasizes the fundamental nature of something.
Specific contexts:
* Pundamental - This is a loanword from English, commonly used in academic contexts.
* Pangunahin - This translates to "primary" and emphasizes the importance of something as a basis.
* Batayan - This means "basis" and focuses on the underlying principle or concept.
The best translation depends on the specific context. For example, if you're talking about the foundational principles of a building, pang-pundasyon would be the most appropriate term. However, if you're discussing the foundational principles of a philosophy, batayan or pundamental might be more suitable.