kringgå

Kringgå is a Norwegian verb meaning to circumvent, bypass, or evade rules, restrictions, or obstacles by finding an alternative path or method. It is used for deliberate actions that avoid compliance with procedures, controls, or limitations, as well as for more physical senses of going around an obstacle. In everyday and formal language, kringgå often carries a negative or critical nuance when it concerns rules or laws.

Etymology and form: The word is a compound of kring, meaning around or about, and gå, meaning to go. The combination conveys moving around something to reach a goal or outcome. The form is used across Norwegian and has cognates in related Scandinavian languages, reflecting a shared Germanic heritage of figurative and literal “going around.”

Usage and nuance: Kringgå is a transitive verb and typically takes a direct object, as in kringgå regler or kringgå sikkerhetstiltak. It can describe attempts to bypass policies, procedures, or legal requirements, and it often implies ingenuity or evasion. In some contexts, more neutral alternatives such as omgå or gå rundt can be used, but kringgå emphasizes circumventing through nonstandard means rather than simply operating within the system.

Examples: Han prøvde å kringgå reglene ved å levere dokumentet i siste liten. Myndighetene gransker selskapets praksis for å se om de har kringgått skattelovgivningen. Låsen ble kringgått av en innbrytter, noe som førte til en anmeldelse.

See also: omgå, gå rundt, omgåelse.