Svettens

Svettens is the possessive form of the Swedish noun svett, meaning sweat. It translates as the sweat’s or of sweat and is used to link sweat to another noun, for example svettens lukt (the smell of sweat) or svettens effekter (the effects of sweat). In Swedish, the possessive is typically formed by adding -s to the noun.

Svett refers to perspiration produced by sweat glands on the skin. It helps regulate body temperature and serves as a means of excretion. Sweat is mainly water but also contains minerals, urea, and organic compounds. Odor, when present, is largely produced by bacteria that metabolize components of sweat on the skin.

Etymology and cognates: svett is native to Swedish and has cognates in other North Germanic languages, such as Danish sved and Norwegian svette. The word’s basic meaning has remained stable, while related terms and forms vary across languages.

Usage and nuance: The term appears in medical, athletic, hygiene, and everyday language. The possessive form svettens is most common in contexts where ownership or association with sweat is asserted, such as discussing the smell, effects, or composition of sweat. In typical written Swedish, svett is more frequently used for general references, while svettens is chosen when a specific relationship to sweat is being described.