löparen

Löparen is a Swedish noun meaning "the runner" and is the definite singular form of löpare, a noun for one who runs. The base form löpare refers to a runner in general and is used for athletes, messengers, or others who move swiftly on foot. The word derives from the verb löpa, to run, and follows the standard Swedish noun-formation pattern where the definite form is formed with the suffix -en.

In sports language, löparen typically describes a person who runs, especially track and field athletes or long-distance runners. Historically, it could designate a courier or messenger who runs between places.

In chess terminology used in Swedish, the piece commonly known as the bishop is called löpare; its singular definite form is löparen when referring to one bishop. The bishop moves diagonally and stays on squares of one color. The term appears in game texts and is contrasted with the rook (torn) and knight (häst) in Swedish.

Beyond sports and chess, löparen can appear in idiomatic or compound terms, or as part of proper names, but the meanings above cover the primary senses in contemporary Swedish.