根目录 (gēn mù lù) — root directory (computing)

Definition

noun

root directory (computing)

根目录。
Qǐng bǎ wén jiàn fàng zài gēn mù lù lǐ.
Please put the file in the root directory.
根目录。
Zhè ge chéng xù ān zhuāng zài gēn mù lù xià.
This program is installed under the root directory.
根目录。
gēn mù lù Shì wén jiàn jiā de zuì dǐng céng.
The root directory is the topmost level of folders.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

目录catalog

偏正Modifier + head

根 means base and 目录 means catalog; together they name the base catalog.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

木艮根

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

艮

艮gèn根gēn(r)

Same sound today

根 pairs 木 (tree/wood), pointing to plant roots, with 艮 as a sound part.

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

目 began as a drawing of a human eye, turned sideways.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 錄; 录 is its simplified writing.

金彔錄

Meaning part形符xíngfú

金金jīnmetal

Sound part声符shēngfú

彔

彔lù錄lù

Same sound today

The traditional form 錄 combines 金 (metal) with 彔, which gives the sound; the simplified 录 is a shorthand, so its parts are not the historical parts.