German word

Umweg

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʊmveːk/

Meaning

  • masculine noundetour

Example

Am Wochenende machten wir viele Umwege.

Over the weekend, we took many detours.

Illustration for Umweg (detour)

More examples

Mit dem neuen Zugang gelangten wir ohne Umweg zum Ziel.

With the new entrance, we reached the destination without a detour.

Core concept

A task or journey takes an indirect route through additional stages before arriving at the intended result.

Common phrases

  • ohne Umweg zum Ziel gelangen

    reach the destination without a detour

  • einen großen Umweg nehmen

    take a big detour

Similar words

Umleitung: A diversion from the usual route because of roadworks, accidents, or other obstacles.
Abkürzung: A route that reduces the distance or time needed to reach a destination.
Nebenstrecke: A side road branching off from a main route.

Definition in German

Ein Weg, der das Ziel nicht direkt erreicht und oft absichtlich oder unfreiwillig gewählt wird.

Word origin

German forms Umweg by joining the directional element um with Weg, extending the idea of going around into an indirect route.

Usage tips

  • The standard preposition pattern is über einen Umweg, as in reaching a place or result via an indirect route.

Other meanings

  • roundabout waynoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word