likaus

Likaus is a noun used in Finnish to refer to the state or condition of dirt, contamination, or staining. The term derives from the common root lik- meaning dirt, with the suffix -us forming a noun that indicates a state or process. In technical contexts, likaus is often used to describe contamination of materials, such as samples in chemistry or manufacturing where unwanted foreign matter affects quality. It can also describe staining or discoloration arising from exposure to substances or environmental factors. In everyday language, likaus is less common than more specific terms for dirt or contamination, and its usage is largely confined to Finnish-language sources and technical writing.

The English equivalents of likaus depend on context and may include contamination, impurity, or staining. The word is rarely used outside Finnish discussions and is not a standard term in general international English-language literature. Related Finnish terms include likainen (dirty) and likaisuus (filthiness), which share the same root associated with dirt and cleanliness. In dialectal or regional usage, forms and nuances of likaus may vary, but the core idea remains a state linked to dirt or impurity.

Likaus as a concept is primarily of linguistic interest in Finnish derivational morphology and is not associated with a widely recognized international concept.