tour / patrol
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tour
A visit or tour on foot that leads through a specific area, for example through a museum, a city, or an exhibition.
Der Museumsführer bot einen einstündigen Rundgang durch die Sonderausstellung an.
The museum guide offered a one-hour tour through the special exhibition.
The word is made up of 'rund' (round) and 'der Gang' (walk, passage). So it literally describes a 'round walk'—a route that goes in a circle or through an entire area.
Der Rundgang durch den Schlosspark dauert etwa eine Stunde.
The tour through the palace gardens takes about an hour.
In all meanings, 'der Rundgang' (tour, patrol) is very often combined with the verb 'machen' (to make/do): you 'macht einen Rundgang' (make a tour/patrol).
Der Nachtwächter macht seinen letzten Rundgang um Mitternacht.
The night watchman makes his final patrol at midnight.
The exact meaning becomes clear from the context. In connection with 'Museum' (museum) or 'Stadt' (city), it means a tour. With 'Wachmann' (guard) or 'Sicherheit' (security), it means an inspection round or patrol. In the context of 'Kunstakademie' (art academy), it refers to the students' annual exhibition.
Ich freue mich schon auf den jährlichen Rundgang an der Kunsthochschule.
I'm already looking forward to the annual open studios at the art school.
round
'die Runde' and 'der Rundgang' can both mean that someone walks a route and checks or visits several places again. 'Runde' is more general and often shorter: you can do 'eine Runde' through the building, across the yard, or in the hospital. 'Rundgang' sounds more planned and more specific. It is especially suitable for a tour, for example in a museum, or for a regular inspection round. Learners may confuse the words because both have to do with a route in a circle or through several areas. For a simple check, people often say 'Runde'; for a guided tour or official inspection, 'Rundgang' is more likely.
Im Museum beginnt der Rundgang um zehn Uhr am Eingang.
At the museum, the tour begins at ten o'clock at the entrance.
Vor dem Schließen macht Jana noch eine Runde durch alle Zimmer.
Before closing, Jana does one more round through all the rooms.