fukt

Fukt is a common noun in Swedish, Norwegian Bokmål, and Danish, meaning moisture, dampness, or humidity. The word is used to describe water or water vapor present in air or materials. The related adjective fuktig means humid or damp; compounds include fuktskada (damp damage) and fuktighet (humidity, moisture content).

Etymology: The term belongs to the shared Germanic heritage of the Scandinavian languages and has cognates across related tongues. The exact historical forms vary by language, but the concept of moisture has long been part of everyday and technical vocabulary in the region.

Usage: In meteorology, construction, agriculture, and everyday speech, fukt refers to the amount of water in air or materials. In building contexts, fuktskada denotes damage caused by persistent moisture, including mold growth, wood rot, and corrosion. In food storage and agriculture, controlling fukt helps prevent spoilage and deterioration. In electronics and textiles, excessive moisture can affect performance or durability, so moisture control is important across industries.

Measurement and control: Humidity is usually described by relative humidity; maintaining moderate fukt levels reduces mold risk and material damage. Building practices aim to manage moisture with ventilation, drainage, vapor barriers, and dehumidification. Typical comfort targets in homes are roughly 30–50 percent relative humidity, though recommendations depend on climate and season.

See also: humidity; dampness; mold; moisture management.