扬声器 (yáng shēng qì) literally means 'sound-amplifying device': 扬 (yáng) means 'to raise, to amplify', 声 (shēng) means 'sound' or 'voice', and 器 (qì) means 'device' or 'instrument'. Together, they form the standard Mandarin term for a loudspeaker — the electroacoustic transducer that converts electrical audio signals into audible sound waves. It is used in everyday contexts like home audio systems, public address setups, computers, and smartphones.

This word is neutral in register and widely understood across Chinese-speaking regions. While colloquial speech sometimes shortens it to 喇叭 (lǎ ba) — which originally meant 'trumpet' but now commonly refers to speakers — 扬声器 is the formal, technical, and preferred term in manuals, specifications, and educational or professional settings. It emphasizes function (amplifying sound) rather than shape or origin, distinguishing it from more metaphorical or historical terms.