umgehen meaning and definition in german

Verb

Frequency:

class 7 strong, third-person singular simple present geht um, past tense ging um, past participle umgegangen, past subjunctive ginge um, auxiliary sein

1. to avoid, bypass, to go around a physical obstacle Sie wollten die Stadtmitte umgehen.‎

   They wanted to avoid [going through] the middle of town.

   Er umging den Bach.‎

   He went around the creek.

2. to avoid something nonphysical eine Regel umgehen Er umging es, den Tod ihres Mannes anzusprechen.‎

   He avoided mentioning her husband's death.

   Ich versuche das Thema zu umgehen.‎

   I am attempting to avoid the subject.

3. ---

4. intransitive, with mit to handle, to deal with
5. to go around to circulate (in) Im Dorf geht ein Gerücht um.‎

   There’s a rumor going around the village.

More!

1. of ghosts to haunt, to walk the earth Hier gehen Gespenster um.‎

   Ghosts haunt this place.