Gnista

Gnista is a Swedish noun meaning a small particle of fire produced by combustion or friction—a spark. It is used primarily in literal contexts to describe a spark from a flame or electrical discharge, and it can also be employed metaphorically to denote the initial impulse behind an action, project, or idea. The indefinite singular is gnista; the plural is gnistor, and the definite singular is gnistan.

Etymology: The word is of North Germanic origin, with cognates in related Nordic languages that describe a spark or glow. It is connected to the broader family of terms for ignition and fire, reflecting a shared concept across the Nordic linguistic region.

Usage: In Swedish, gnista covers both literal and figurative senses. It appears in technical language about ignition and energy as well as in everyday speech to evoke energy, momentum, or the start of something.

See also: Spark; ignition; ember.