kränka

Kränka is a Swedish verb that means to offend, insult, or harm someone’s dignity, or to violate someone’s rights or privacy. It is used transitively with an object, as in att kränka någons värdighet or att kränka någons integritet. The core idea is to treat a person in a way that diminishes or disrespects them.

In everyday language, kränka often refers to verbal or symbolic actions that demean another person. In legal and policy contexts, the term is used to describe acts that violate a person’s integrity, privacy, or protected rights. This includes forms of harassment or discrimination, though exact definitions vary by context and statute.

Forms and grammar: the verb is regular in Swedish conjugation. Present tense: kränker; past tense: kränkte; supine/past participle: kränkt, used in perfect constructions like har kränkt. The related noun is kränkning, meaning an offense, violation, or act of harassment. The adjective kränkande describes something offensive or humiliating.

Related terms and usage notes: kränkning and kränkande behandling are common in discussions of bullying, harassment, and violations of personal dignity in schools, workplaces, and media. Examples include kränkningar av integriteten (violations of privacy) or kränkande behandling (abusive conduct). Kränka is distinct from physical harm (skada) and from defamation or threats, though overlaps can occur in discussions of harm and rights violations.