noun
main train station, central station
B1
Hauptbahnhof means 'main train station' or 'central station'. It's masculine (der Hauptbahnhof) and a compound (Haupt + Bahnhof). Plural: Hauptbahnhöfe (Umlaut + -e); genitive des Hauptbahnhofs. Common prepositions: 'am Hauptbahnhof' (at the station) and 'zum Hauptbahnhof' (to the station). Very common in German.
Examples
Der Besucher verpasste den Zug am Hauptbahnhof, obwohl er pĂŒnktlich zum Bahnsteig lief.
The visitor missed the train at the main station, although he ran to the platform on time.
Der neue Hauptbahnhof hat viele GeschÀfte und Verbindungen.
The new central station has many shops and connections.
Der Hauptbahnhof ist der wichtigste Verkehrsknotenpunkt der Stadt.
The main train station is the city's most important transport hub.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture a big station with a sign 'Hauptbahnhof' in the city center
Haupt sounds like 'hop' + 'off' â think 'main stop'
der (masculine): imagine a male conductor saying 'der Bahnhof' to anchor masculine gender
Notes
Compound of 'Haupt' (main) + 'Bahnhof' (train station). Plural is Hauptbahnhöfe. Commonly used in travel contexts.