die
Ortsumgehung
🛣️ What does 'die Ortsumgehung' mean?
Die Ortsumgehung (feminine noun) refers to a road built to route through-traffic around a locality (a town, a village) instead of directly through it. Its main purpose is to relieve the town center from noise and exhaust fumes and to speed up traffic flow for travelers. In English, this is commonly called a 'bypass' or 'bypass road'.
It's a compound noun formed from Ort (place, locality) and Umgehung (circumvention, bypass, derived from the verb umgehen - to go around, to bypass). Since the base word die Umgehung is feminine (words ending in -ung are almost always feminine in German), die Ortsumgehung is also feminine.
⚠️ There are no other articles for this word. It's always 'die'.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ung → always feminine.
There are many -ung words, we won't list them all. There are only a few exceptions.
🧐 Grammar in Detail: die Ortsumgehung
The word 'Ortsumgehung' is a feminine noun. The article is die.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | die | Ortsumgehung |
| Genitive (Possessive) | der | Ortsumgehung |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | der | Ortsumgehung |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | die | Ortsumgehung |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Ortsumgehungen |
| Genitive | der | Ortsumgehungen |
| Dative | den | Ortsumgehungen |
| Accusative | die | Ortsumgehungen |
Example Sentences
- Die neue Ortsumgehung soll im nächsten Jahr eröffnet werden.
(The new bypass road is scheduled to open next year.) - Dank der Ortsumgehung ist der Lärm im Dorf deutlich zurückgegangen.
(Thanks to the bypass, the noise in the village has decreased significantly.) - Der Bau der Ortsumgehung war umstritten.
(The construction of the bypass was controversial.) - Wir fahren lieber über die Ortsumgehung, um Zeit zu sparen.
(We prefer to drive via the bypass to save time.) - Mehrere Gemeinden fordern den Bau von Ortsumgehungen.
(Several communities are demanding the construction of bypasses.)
💡 How to use 'Ortsumgehung'?
The term die Ortsumgehung is mainly used in the context of road construction, traffic planning, and local politics.
- Traffic Relief: One talks about an Ortsumgehung when the goal is to keep traffic, especially heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), out of residential areas.
- Infrastructure Projects: Building an Ortsumgehung is often a large and lengthy project, discussed in news reports and political debates.
- Navigation: On maps and in navigation systems, bypasses (Ortsumgehungen) are important route options.
In everyday language, the term 'Umgehungsstraße' (bypass road) is often used synonymously.
🧠 Mnemonics for Ortsumgehung
Article Mnemonic: Words ending in -ung in German are almost always feminine ('die'). Think of 'die Planung' (the planning), 'die Leitung' (the line/management)... and therefore die Ortsumgehung. The 'ung' ending sounds a bit like the English 'ing', but remember it signals 'die'!
Meaning Mnemonic: Break it down: 'Ort' means 'place' or 'town'. 'Umgehung' comes from 'umgehen', meaning 'to go around' or 'bypass'. So, an 'Orts-umgehung' is literally a 'place-going-around' road – a bypass!
↔️ Opposites and Alternatives
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Umgehungsstraße: Very common synonym (literally 'bypass road').
- Entlastungsstraße: Emphasizes the purpose of traffic relief ('relief road').
- Umfahrung: More technical or regional term ('circumvention').
- Bypass: English loanword, sometimes used, especially in technical contexts.
Antonyms (Opposites)
- Ortsdurchfahrt: The road going directly through the town ('town thoroughfare').
- Stadtzufahrt / Ortseinfahrt: The road leading into the town ('town access' / 'village entrance').
- Innerortsstraße: A road within the town limits ('inner-town road').
Similar Terms (Potential Confusion!)
- Umleitung: A temporary diversion or detour, usually due to roadworks or closures, not a permanent road like an Ortsumgehung.
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt der Städter den Bauern: "Sagen Sie mal, führt diese Straße auch aus dem Dorf hinaus?"
Antwortet der Bauer: "Nein, mein Herr. Dafür haben wir extra eine teure Ortsumgehung gebaut!"
Translation:
A city dweller asks a farmer: "Excuse me, does this road also lead out of the village?"
The farmer replies: "No, sir. That's why we built an expensive bypass!"
📜 A Road Poem
Der Laster dröhnt, die Luft ist schwer,
Durchs enge Dorf, es geht nicht mehr.
Doch Hoffnung naht, man sieht es schon,
Verkehrsplan B, die Lösung, Lohn.
Man baut geschwind, mit Plan und Fug,
Am Ort vorbei, genug ist genug.
Die Ortsumgehung, breit und klar,
Bringt Ruhe nun, Jahr für Jahr.
Translation:
The truck roars, the air is thick,
Through the narrow village, it makes one sick.
But hope is near, it can be seen,
Traffic plan B, the solution keen.
They build with speed, planned and sound,
Past the village, enough's been found.
The bypass road, wide and clear,
Brings quiet now, year after year.
❓ A Little Riddle
Ich leite den Verkehr geschickt,
damit kein Ort im Lärm erstickt.
Ich führe außen rum im Bogen,
wer durch will, wird vorbeigezogen.
Wer bin ich?
Translation:
I guide the traffic skillfully,
so no town suffocates in noise, you see.
I lead around in an arc outside,
those wanting through are drawn aside.
What am I?
Lösung / Answer: Die Ortsumgehung (The bypass road)
🧩 Other Information about die Ortsumgehung
Word Composition
The word Ortsumgehung is a compound noun:
- Ort (der): Means 'place', 'locality', 'town', 'village'.
- Umgehung (die): Derived from the verb "umgehen" (to bypass, to go around). The suffix "-ung" turns the verb into a noun.
Together, the meaning is: The bypassing of a place (by means of a purpose-built road).
Context
Bypasses (Ortsumgehungen) are often the subject of long planning and approval processes, as well as political and public debate. This is because they involve significant intervention in the landscape but can also bring considerable benefits to the quality of life in the affected towns and villages by reducing traffic congestion and pollution.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Ortsumgehung?
The German word "Ortsumgehung" is feminine. The correct article is die: die Ortsumgehung (singular), die Ortsumgehungen (plural).