wegkomen

Wegkomen is a Dutch verb meaning to get away, escape, or leave a place quickly, and it can also mean to avoid an obligation, punishment, or negative consequence. It is commonly used in everyday, informal language and often appears in expressions that describe fleeing from a situation or avoiding consequences.

Etymology and sense: the word is a compound of weg (away) and komen (to come). The prefix weg adds the nuance of leaving or escaping, similar to other Dutch compounds with weg. Because it is informal, its precise meaning is determined by context, ranging from physically leaving a location to managing to avoid trouble.

Usage and nuances: wegkomen is frequently used with particles or prepositional phrases that specify what is being escaped or avoided. For example, it can describe escaping from pursuit or escaping the consequences of an action. In many contexts, it pairs with "met" or "er mee" to express getting away with something, as in “met de boete wegkomen” (to get away with the fine). It can also describe escaping from a crowded place or from a difficult situation, as in “we komen er wel weg” (we’ll manage to get away from this). The phrase is more common in speech than in formal writing.

Related terms: synonyms include ontkomen, ontsnappen, and ervan afkomen, each with its own nuance. Ontsnappen and ontsnappen emphasize physical escape, while ervoor wegkomen or er mee wegkomen focus more on avoiding consequences.

Register and usage notes: wegkomen is best understood as informal or conversational Dutch. In formal writing, speakers may prefer more precise verbs such as ontsnappen or ontkomen, depending on the context.

See also: ontkomen, ontsnappen, er mee wegkomen, weggaan.