die Hauptsache
main thing
The most important point or aspect of a matter.
EXAMPLE
Wir können über die Details später sprechen, die Hauptsache ist, dass wir uns einig sind.
We can talk about the details later; the main thing is that we agree.
die Hauptsache
main thing
die Hauptsache, die Hauptsachen
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Meanings
Hauptsache, ...
as long as...
Used to express that a certain condition is the most important thing and everything else is secondary.
EXAMPLE
Hauptsache, du bist gesund!
As long as you're healthy!
die Hauptsache
main matter
In a legal context, the central matter in dispute in court proceedings, as opposed to ancillary proceedings or procedural questions.
EXAMPLE
Das Gericht hat zunächst nur über den Eilantrag entschieden, nicht über die Hauptsache.
The court initially ruled only on the urgent application, not on the main matter.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Hauptsache, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Hauptsachen |
| genitive | der Hauptsache |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Hauptsache | die Hauptsachen |
| accusative | die Hauptsache | die Hauptsachen |
| dative | der Hauptsache | den Hauptsachen |
| genitive | der Hauptsache | der Hauptsachen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Compound word
'Hauptsache' (main thing) is a compound noun made up of 'Haupt-' (meaning 'most important' or 'central') and 'Sache' (thing, matter). So it literally means 'the most important thing'.
EXAMPLE
Die Hauptstraße führt direkt durch das Stadtzentrum.
The main road leads directly through the city center.
Two uses
There are two uses: as a noun with an article ('Die Hauptsache ist, ...' — the main thing is ...) and as a particle at the beginning of a sentence without an article ('Hauptsache, ...' — as long as ...). Both emphasize what is most important.
EXAMPLE
Die Hauptsache ist, dass niemand verletzt wurde.
The main thing is that no one was injured.
Special sentence structure
When a sentence begins with 'Hauptsache,', it is followed by a main clause with the verb in position two. This is an exception to the normal subordinate-clause structure.
EXAMPLE
Das Wetter ist schlecht. Hauptsache, wir haben Spaß!
The weather is bad. The main thing is that we're having fun!
Register: colloquial
The use of 'Hauptsache,' at the beginning of a sentence is very typical of spoken language and expresses a pragmatic attitude focused on what matters most.
EXAMPLE
Egal, wie teuer es war. Hauptsache, es gefällt dir!
It doesn't matter how expensive it was. As long as you like it!
Register: technical language
The meaning 'central matter in dispute' is limited to the legal context. In everyday language, 'Hauptsache' is never used in this sense.
EXAMPLE
Der Anwalt konzentrierte sich in seinem Plädoyer auf die Hauptsache.
The lawyer focused on the main matter in his closing argument.
In real life
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