Geroep

Geroep is a Dutch noun that denotes the act of calling out loud, a shout or cry produced to attract attention, signal others, or express emotion. The term can refer to a single utterance or to the collective sounds made by a group, such as a crowd, audience, or flock of birds. In everyday language it is often used to describe audible signals that serve a social or practical purpose.

Etymology and usage context: Geroep is formed from the verb roepen (to call) with the prefix ge- that nominalizes the action. It is commonly used for both human voices and animal sounds and is not restricted to linguistic content; it emphasizes the function of the sound as a signal or expression.

Applications: In humans, geroep appears in contexts such as sports events, protests, or emergencies where shouting serves to communicate, warn, or rally others. In nature and animal observation, it describes vocal signals like the calls of birds or other animals, which can convey information about territory, danger, or mating.

Nuance and related terms: Geroep is closely related to but distinct from kreet (a more abrupt or sharp cry) and geschreeuw (loud, sometimes harsh shouting). It is also related to the broader category of interjecties and nonlinguistic vocalizations, depending on whether the sound carries linguistic content.

See also: roepen, kreet, geschreeuw, interjectie, geluid.