kuslig

Kuslig is a Swedish adjective meaning creepy, eerie, or spooky. It describes atmospheres, scenes, memories, or objects that provoke discomfort or a shiver, often due to abnormality, silence, or unfamiliarity. The term can apply to both supernatural and mundane sources of unease, and it is commonly used to express a mood rather than explicit fear.

Etymology: Kuslig is formed with the common Scandinavian suffix -lig, meaning “like” or “characteristic of.” The root kus- has unclear or debated origins, but the word is established in Swedish and is also found in Norwegian with the same sense. The exact historical development is not straightforward, but the word is well integrated into everyday usage to convey a sense of disturbance.

Usage: Kuslig typically describes mood or impressions rather than overt horror. Common collocations include kuslig stämning (creepy atmosphere), kuslig tystnad (creepy silence), and kuslig närvaro (creepy presence). It sits between mild discomfort and stronger dread; for sharper connotations, terms like läskig or skrämmande may be used, depending on nuance and intensity.

Examples: “Det var en kuslig stämning i huset” translates to “There was a creepy atmosphere in the house.” “Hon kände en kuslig närvaro i rummet” translates to “She felt a creepy presence in the room.”

See also: obehaglig, skrämmande, läskig, and their English equivalents creepy, eerie, and unsettling.