försköna

Försköna is a Swedish verb meaning to make something more attractive or pleasant, or to embellish it. The term is used for physical appearances, design, or presentation, and can also refer to presenting information in a more favorable light. In neutral usage it denotes cosmetic improvement, while in a critical context it can imply manipulation or deception, for example when someone tries to försköna verkligheten (gloss over reality).

Etymology and forms: the verb is built from the prefix för- meaning “to” or “in order to” and the root skön, related to beauty (skönhet). It is conjugated as a regular -a verb: infinitive försköna; present förskönar; past förskönade; supine förskönat; past participle förskönad.

Usage notes: you will encounter the expression försköna verkligheten or försköna färgerna i reklammaterial när describing attempts to present something in a more positive light. In journalism, photography, and advertising, the verb often appears in discussions about image manipulation, design choices, or public relations. It can carry a neutral sense when describing cosmetic improvements, but it can also express criticism if the improvements are misleading.

Related terms include försköning (the act or process of beautifying) and skönhetsskapande, though the latter is less common. Overall, försköna describes making something more aesthetically pleasing or more favorable in appearance or presentation.