bypass / circumvention
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bypass
A road that leads around a town or a busy area in order to redirect through traffic. Often also called 'Umgehungsstraße' (bypass road).
Seit die neue Umgehung fertig ist, gibt es im Stadtzentrum viel weniger Verkehr.
Since the new bypass was completed, there has been much less traffic in the city center.
circumvention
The deliberate avoidance or ignoring of a rule, law, or problem by finding a way 'around it.'
Die Firma wurde wegen der Umgehung von Steuervorschriften angeklagt.
The company was charged with the circumvention of tax regulations.
'Die Umgehung' is the noun form of the verb 'umgehen' (inseparable). The verb means to take a route around something or to avoid a rule. This double meaning is also found in the noun.
Man kann das Stadtzentrum auf der Autobahn umgehen.
You can bypass the city center on the highway.
Whether a road (m01) or the avoidance of a rule (m02) is meant can be recognized from context. If it is about traffic, construction projects, or cities, a road is meant. If it is about laws, regulations, or problems, avoidance is meant.
Die neue Umgehung entlastet die Anwohner vom Lärm.
The new bypass relieves local residents of the noise.
In the meaning of a road, 'Umgehung' (bypass) is often a shorter form of 'Umgehungsstraße' (bypass road). Typical verbs in this context are 'bauen' (to build), 'planen' (to plan), 'eröffnen' (to open), and 'fahren auf' (to drive on).
Die Stadt plant seit Jahren eine Umgehung im Westen.
The city has been planning a bypass in the west for years.
When 'Umgehung' (circumvention) means the avoidance of a rule, what is being circumvented is often indicated with the genitive or with 'von' + dative. The structure is: die Umgehung + genitive/von + dative.
Die Umgehung des Gesetzes ist strafbar.
The circumvention of the law is punishable.
avoidance
Vermeidung usually means staying away from a thing or situation. Umgehung, by contrast, emphasizes finding a way around it, especially in the case of a rule or problem. Choose “Vermeidung” for consciously avoiding something and “Umgehung” for deliberately getting around it.
Zur Umgehung der Regel suchte er eine Lücke im Verfahren.
To get around the rule, he looked for a loophole in the procedure.
Zur Vermeidung des Staus fuhr er früh über eine andere Straße.
To avoid the traffic jam, he took a different road early in the morning.
