onderweg

Onderweg is a Dutch word meaning "on the way" or "en route." It functions as an adverb and an adjective and describes someone or something that is currently in transit between places, or that is progressing toward a goal. In everyday speech it appears in phrases such as "We zijn onderweg" or "onderweg naar huis," and it can also describe a process that is not yet finished, as in a project that is "onderweg."

Usage and nuance often depend on context. "Op weg" is a close synonym, but "onderweg" tends to emphasize movement and ongoing progress rather than mere direction. The term can refer to physical travel as well as figurative journeys, such as personal development, organizational change, or a plan in progress.

Etymology: The term is a compound of onder (under) and weg (road, path) and has evolved to mean being on a journey rather than being beneath something. In modern Dutch it is used broadly across spoken language and writing.

Cultural usage: Beyond literal travel, "onderweg" is used metaphorically to describe various forms of development or transition—personal, social, or institutional. The phrase is common in travel writing, journalism, and discourse about change, and it has also been used as a title or motif in Dutch literature, film, and music to convey movement and progression.