omgang

Omgang is a Dutch noun with several related meanings centered on interaction, movement and handling. The most common sense is conduct or the way someone behaves toward others. In this use, phrases like de omgang met mensen or omgangsvormen refer to social behavior, etiquette and the norms that govern how people interact. A closely related sense is the act of dealing with or handling something, as in omgaan met geld or omgaan met conflicten, which describes one’s approach or coping strategy.

Omgang can also mean contact or visits, referring to the regular contact or time spent with another person or group. In this sense, it can denote social calling or the cadence of interactions, such as visits to family or regular contact with colleagues. In institutional or organizational contexts, omgang may describe rounds, contact or visitation routines, for example the daily omgang with patients or the regulations governing visits (omgangsregeling).

In some contexts, especially older or more formal usage, omgang can also mean a rite or ritual walk. In religious or ceremonial language, it may refer to a circular movement or procession around a sacred space or object, though this sense is less common in everyday speech.

Etymology traces omgang to Middle Dutch omga(n), from om- “around” and gang “going, path, walk.” The word has multiple closely related senses that share the core idea of how one moves, acts and relates to others.