Dëmshme

Dëmshme is an Albanian adjective meaning harmful or damaging. It is used to describe substances, actions, conditions, or processes that can cause injury, illness, loss, or other negative outcomes. The term appears in health, safety, environmental, and policy contexts, and is common in education, journalism, and public discourse.

Etymology and forms: The word is derived from the noun dëm (harm, damage) with the suffix -shëm, which forms adjectives that denote a characteristic. The masculine form is dëmshëm; the feminine form is dëmshme. In plural contexts, the adjective agrees with the noun in gender and number.

Usage and examples: Dëmshme describes substances (for example, produkte dëmshme për shëndetin – harmful products for health), behaviours (konsumimi i tepruar është dëmshëm), and conditions (ndotja e ajrit është një rrethanë dëmshme). In health guidelines and media, it is often paired with warnings about preventing harm and reducing risk.

Notes: Dëmshme conveys potential harm rather than immediate danger; it is often used to indicate long-term or systemic risks. It can be contrasted with i rrezikshëm (dangerous) in contexts where the emphasis is on imminent threat, whereas dëmshme emphasizes adverse impact on health, safety, or welfare.