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Hauptpfad

/ˈhaʊ̯ptˌpfaːt/
noun★Intermediate💡 main path
neutral

The primary or most important path in a network, trail, or system.

Der Hauptpfad führt direkt zum Gipfel des Berges.

The main path leads directly to the mountain summit.

Im Wald gibt es mehrere Wege, aber der Hauptpfad ist am besten markiert.

In the forest there are several paths, but the main one is best marked.

💡

Commonly used in hiking, navigation, and digital contexts (e.g., file directories).

💻Technology
technical

In computing and file systems, the root directory or primary directory path.

Öffnen Sie den Hauptpfad des Projekts im Datei-Explorer.

Open the project's root directory in the file explorer.

💡

Refers to the top-level folder in a directory structure.

Collocations

den Hauptpfad nehmento take the main pathHauptpfad folgento follow the main path

Synonyms

HauptwegHauptrouteHauptstraße

Antonyms

NebenpfadUmweg

Related Phrases

Haupt- und Nebenpfadephrase
main and secondary paths

💡Pro Tip

Distinguishing 'Hauptpfad' from 'Hauptweg'

'Hauptpfad' emphasizes the path as a route or trail (often natural or less formal), while 'Hauptweg' may imply a more constructed or urban path. In computing, 'Hauptpfad' is the standard term for the root directory.

⚡Gold Rule

Capitalization

Always capitalize 'Hauptpfad' as it is a noun in German.

📖Word Origin

Compound of 'Haupt-' (main, primary) and 'Pfad' (path), from Middle High German 'pfat'. 'Haupt-' derives from Old High German 'houbit', related to English 'head' (as in 'head of a path').

📝Usage Notes

Used for both physical paths (e.g., hiking trails) and abstract paths (e.g., digital directories). In computing, it specifically refers to the root directory. Always capitalized as a noun in German.

Word Breakdown

Haupt-
main, primary
prefix
+
Pfad
path
root
Deutsch-Englisch Wörterbuch

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