útgangur

útgangur is an Icelandic noun meaning an exit or way out and is used to refer to the point or passage by which someone leaves a place, most commonly a building. The term also appears in broader contexts to indicate a means of leaving a situation or a route to get out. In technical language, útgangur can denote an output from a system, such as an electrical or computing output.

In architecture, útgangur is the standard label for an exit. Building codes and safety signage typically mark doors and passages as útgangur, with neyðarútgangur (emergency exit) designated separately to emphasize quick and safe egress in emergencies. The word emphasizes a physical route that enables people to leave a space.

Etymology-wise, útgangur is formed from the prefix út- meaning out and the noun gangur, which relates to going, walking, or a path. This combination reflects the basic idea of a path or door that leads outward.

In technology and industry, útgangur is also used to describe an output signal or port from a device or system, contrasting with input (inntak). This usage is common in discussions of electronics, computing, and engineering, where the term helps distinguish sources of data, power, or control from their inputs.

Overall, útgangur is a versatile term in Icelandic, primarily associated with physical exits in everyday language, while also extending to technical contexts to denote outputs from systems.