Omwegen

Omwegen is the plural form of the Dutch noun omweg, which denotes a detour or indirect route. The term is used both for literal detours in travel and for metaphorical deviations from a direct plan or approach. In everyday language, people speak of taking an omweg, for example when roadworks force a longer path, or when a strategy moves away from a direct course.

Etymology and form: omweg is a compound of om, around, and weg, road or way. The plural is formed by adding -en, yielding de omweg (singular) and de omwegen (plural). The word is widely understood in the Netherlands and Flanders and appears in traffic reports, signage, and general discourse about routing and planning.

Usage: Literally, omwegen arise from road closures, accidents, or traffic management measures that require drivers to choose an alternative route. Metaphorically, the term is used to describe steps or decisions that bypass the most direct option, often to avoid risk, save costs, or gain time in the long run. In Dutch, omleiding is more commonly used for an officially designated detour, while omweg emphasizes the broader concept of a path that goes around rather than straight to the destination.

See also: omleiding, detour, route planning, traffic management. Examples: “Tijdens de werkzaamheden zijn er meerdere omwegen.” “Hij maakte een omweg om langs het park te lopen.”