Forfall

Forfall is a Swedish noun with several related meanings, most often referring to deterioration or decay that occurs when something is neglected or allowed to age. It can describe the physical condition of buildings, machinery, infrastructure, or natural objects, conveying a sense of decline or disrepair. In everyday language it is used to indicate that something has fallen into a worse state over time.

In legal and financial contexts, forfall denotes a due date or the moment when an obligation must be fulfilled. The related term förfallodatum means due date, and the verb förfalla is used to indicate that a payment or claim becomes due or expires. Example: Fakturan förfaller den 20 april (The invoice is due on April 20).

In scientific and everyday usage, forfall can also mean decomposition or putrefaction of organic matter, driven by microorganisms and environmental conditions. This sense is common in discussions of composting, food spoilage, or the breakdown of dead material.

The word has cognates in other Scandinavian languages: Norwegian forfall and Danish forfald carry similar meanings of deterioration and due dates. While the core idea remains consistent, the exact collocations and legal terminology can vary by language and context.

In summary, forfall covers both the physical decline of objects over time and the deadlines by which obligations must be met, as well as a broader sense of decay in organic matter. Related terms include förfalla (to decay or expire) and förfallstid (time of expiry).