zanger

Zanger is a Dutch noun meaning a person who sings, specifically a male singer. The feminine form is zangeres; the plural is zangers. In everyday Dutch, gendered forms are common for occupational nouns, though modern usage increasingly uses gender-neutral language when referring to a singer in general.

Etymology: The word zanger is derived from the verb zingen (to sing) plus the agent suffix -er, a common pattern in Dutch for occupations. The form is cognate with related terms in other Germanic languages, such as German Sänger (singer) and English singer.

Usage: A zanger can perform in various genres, from pop and rock to classical, folk, and opera. In Dutch media and culture, zanger is used for male performers; for female performers the term zangeres is used. Some artists may be described by stage names or group affiliations rather than their legal names.

Surname usage: Zanger is also a surname in the Netherlands and among Dutch-speaking communities. As a surname, it likely originated from an ancestor who was a singer or associated with singing; notable individuals with the surname Zanger exist but are not listed here.

See also: Sänger, the German cognate; singer in English; zangeres and zangers as related terms.