unterwegs

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/, [ˌʔʊn.tɐˈveːks], [-ˈʋeːks]
• IPA^(key): /ʊntərˈveːçs/ (northern and central Germany; now chiefly colloquial)

• Audio

  (file)

Adverb

unterwegs

1. 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.

2. (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.

3. (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.)

4. (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

• “unterwegs” in Duden online
• “unterwegs” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache