spreker

Spreker is a Dutch noun meaning “speaker.” In standard Dutch the term has two main senses: a person who speaks and a device that produces sound. The intended sense is usually clear from context, and when needed it is clarified with modifiers or by using common compounds.

In the sense of a person, een spreker refers to someone who delivers a talk, lecture, or public address—an orator or presenter. For example, "De spreker op de conferentie benadrukte de noodzaak van samenwerking." This usage aligns with the English word “speaker” and with the German equivalent Sprecher.

In the sense of a device, the more common Dutch word is luidspreker, which denotes a loudspeaker or audio output unit. In informal spraak, or in branding and imports, the loanword "speaker" may be used, especially for portable or consumer electronics. Examples: "De luidspreker werkt niet" describes a faulty device, while you might encounter "speaker" in marketing or casual speech referring to a speaker device.

Etymology and related terms: spreker is formed from spreken (to speak) with the agent suffix -er. It is cognate with the English speaker and the German Sprecher. In Dutch usage, context usually determines whether spreker refers to the person or, less commonly, to the device, with luidspreker remaining the standard term for audio equipment.