Hauptweg
Der Hauptweg führt direkt zum See.
The main path leads directly to the lake.
The primary or most important path in a park, forest, or garden.
Gehen Sie bitte den Hauptweg entlang, bis Sie zur Brücke kommen.
Please follow the main path until you reach the bridge.
Often used in contexts like hiking trails, public parks, or garden layouts.
Collocations
Synonyms
Pro Tip
Remembering 'Hauptweg'
Think of 'Haupt' as 'head' in English (like 'head of the path') to recall its meaning as the main or primary path.
Gold Rule
Compound Nouns in German
German often forms compound nouns by joining two or more words. The last word ('Weg' here) determines the gender and core meaning, while the preceding word ('Haupt') modifies it.
Word Origin
Compound of 'Haupt' (main, principal) and 'Weg' (path, way), first attested in Middle High German as 'houbetweg'.
Usage Notes
In formal contexts, 'Hauptweg' is preferred over 'Hauptpfad' for larger or more significant paths. In informal speech, 'Hauptweg' is universally understood.