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unterwegs. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
unterwegs, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
unterwegs in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
unterwegs you have here. The definition of the word
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German
Etymology
From older unterwegen, from Middle High German under wegen, from Old High German untar wegun. Equivalent to unter- (“under”) + Weg (“way”) + -s (adverbial suffix). Compare Dutch onderweg, English underway.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ʊntərˈveːks/, ,
- IPA(key): /ʊntərˈveːçs/ (northern and central Germany; now chiefly colloquial)
Adverb
unterwegs
- on one’s way, underway, en route, in transit, going, travelling
Sie ist unterwegs.- She’s on her way.
Wir haben unterwegs deinen Onkel getroffen.- We met your uncle on our way.
- (figuratively) on one’s way (to a goal etc.)
Es gibt noch viel zu tun, aber wir sind unterwegs.- There’s still a lot to do, but we’re getting there.
- (colloquial) out, not there
Ist der Peter zu Hause? — Nee, der ist unterwegs.- Is Peter home? — No, he’s out. (Does not imply he is on his way back.)
- (slang) Used with some adverb, describing a general state.
Der Typ ist cool unterwegs.- He’s a cool guy.
- (literally, “That guy is cool underway.”)
Ich bin heut gut mit Kleingeld unterwegs.- I have a lot of small change on me today.
- (literally, “I’m well underway with small change today.”)
Further reading