klím

Kläm is a word used in Swedish with connections to the verb klämma, meaning to pinch or squeeze. As a noun, kläm denotes a pinch, a squeeze, or a small amount of pressure applied by fingers or by a tool. The term is most often encountered in everyday speech when describing physical sensation, such as the feel of a pinch, or in informal descriptions of squeezing actions.

The word is closely related to the verb klämma and shares its semantic field of pressure and grasp. In Swedish, kläm appears most clearly in compounds or in truncations that emphasize squeezing or gripping, and it can be used to refer to a mechanical or figurative pinch depending on context. In more formal writing, speakers may opt for more precise terminology (for example, describing a specific clamping action or pressure) rather than using kläm in isolation.

Etymologically, kläm derives from the same Germanic roots as klämma and related forms in other Scandinavian languages, where the core meaning centers on pressing, squeezing, or gripping. The noun form is part of a family of words that express contact and pressure between objects or substances.

Usage notes: In idiomatic Swedish, phrases involving kläm can describe both physical squeezes and situations where something is pressed or constrained, including figurative uses such as “to put someone in a difficult position.” The term remains common in colloquial speech, while more technical contexts may employ more specific vocabulary. See also klämma and related compounds for variations in sense and form.