Fläck

Fläck is a Swedish noun meaning a mark or stain. It denotes a discoloration that makes a surface differ from its surroundings. The term can refer to physical blemishes on objects, such as fabric or walls, and it is also used in medical or dermatological contexts to describe spots or pigmented areas on the skin. In figurative use it can denote a defect or blemish in a plan, argument, or reputation.

In textiles, a fläck is a stain caused by dirt, spilled liquids, or dye transfer. Removal usually involves pretreatment with a stain remover and washing under appropriate conditions to avoid setting the stain. In home care language, fläckar are often the focus of early treatment to preserve the integrity of clothing and fabrics.

In dermatology and everyday speech, pigmentfläckar refer to spots on the skin, such as age spots or birthmarks. The word can also describe other localized discolorations, including patches associated with medical conditions or skin trauma. The usage spans both literal staining and metaphorical blemishes, giving fläck a broad applicability in Swedish.

Etymology: Fläck is of Germanic origin, with cognates in other Scandinavian languages that refer to a spot or mark. The word is written with the Swedish letter ä, distinguishing it from related forms in neighboring languages.