Schweiß

Schweiß is a German noun with two primary meanings, depending on the context: perspiration and welding. As perspiration, Schweiß refers to the body’s fluid secreted by sweat glands. Humans have eccrine glands that produce mostly watery, odorless sweat for thermoregulation, and apocrine glands in regions such as the armpits and groin that produce thicker secretions associated with odor. Sweat consists mainly of water and salts, with small amounts of urea, lactate, and minerals; its composition varies with activity, environment, and hydration. The autonomic nervous system regulates sweating, and evaporation from the skin helps cool the body. Bacteria on the skin can break down sweat compounds, producing odor. Hyperhidrosis denotes excessive sweating, while anhidrosis refers to reduced or absent sweating. Treatments range from topical products to medical interventions in severe cases. Sweat also plays a minor role in excretion of certain substances.

In engineering and metalworking, Schweiß denotes welding, the process of fusing materials (typically metals) by heat or pressure, and the resulting joint, called a Schweißnaht. Common methods include gas welding (Gasschweißen), arc welding (Lichtbogen-Schweißen), and arc-welding variants such as MIG/MAG-Schweißen and TIG/WIG-Schweißen. The term appears in related phrases like Schweißtechnik and Schweißzusatzwerkstoff (filler material). Welding requires proper technique, joint design, heat input, and protective measures due to risks such as burns, fumes, and UV exposure.