Luiden

Luiden is a Dutch verb with two principal meanings. In its primary sense it means to produce a sound, especially as bells, clocks, or alarms do. The typical expression is de klokken luiden, meaning the bells are tolling. In its second sense luiden means to state or signify something, typically in formal or journalistic contexts, as in het luidt dat …, meaning it reads or states that … This usage is common in official reports, legal language, and certain types of prose.

Etymology and range of meaning: The verb is derived from the Dutch adjective luid, meaning loud, and is cognate with related Germanic words for sound. The literal sense of making a sound is older, while the figurative sense of indicating content developed in later usage and is especially common in written Dutch.

Usage notes: The sound-producing sense is used for objects that emit sound, such as bells or clocks, and is more common in descriptive or narrative contexts. The reporting sense is used to convey the content of a document, statement, or conclusion, and is frequently found in journalism, formal reports, and legal or administrative texts. The two senses are distinct but share a common root in the idea of sound conveying information.

Examples: De klokken luiden om twaalf uur. Uit het verslag luidt dat de doelstellingen gehaald zijn. De getuigenissen luiden dat de verdachte onschuld verstrekt heeft. In everyday language, the literal sense tends to be more common, while the figurative sense appears mainly in formal writing.

See also: luid (loud), geluid (sound), klokken luiden.