der Abstecher
Translation
detour, side trip, excursion, digression
Examples
Wir machten einen Abstecher nach Venedig.
We made a side trip to Venice.
Der kurze Abstecher hat sich gelohnt.
The short detour was worth it.
Grammar Patterns
to make a detour/side trip ((to sth.)) einen Abstecher ((nach+3 / zu+3)) machen We made a side trip to the lake.
Similar Words
der Ausflug (trip), die Exkursion (excursion), die Tour (tour)
Etymology
From 'ab-' (away from) and 'stechen' (to stick, prick). Literally means to 'stick away' from the main path.
Memory Tips
Imagine 'sticking' a pin on a map 'away' from your main route to mark a side trip or detour.