släcka

Släcka is a Swedish verb meaning to extinguish or switch off a source of light or heat, such as a lamp or a fire. It is used both in literal contexts—släcka lampan, släcka elden—and in metaphorical ones to denote ending or suppressing something. The word is common in safety instructions, everyday speech, and literature when referring to the act of putting something out or silencing a source of light or activity.

Conjugation and usage notes: the infinitive form is släcka, with present tense släcker, past tense släckte, and past participle släckt. The supine form is often listed as släckt, used with auxiliary verbs to form perfect tenses (har släckt, hade släckt). The imperative form is Släck! for both singular and plural. The related noun is släckning, meaning extinguishing or a suppression, and släckt functions as an adjective meaning extinguished or off.

Examples of common usage include släcka lampan (to turn off the lamp), släcka elden (to extinguish the fire), and släcka ett ljus (to extinguish a candle). In safety contexts, instructions may specify to släcka vid behov or to släcka alltid when leaving a room. The term is a standard part of everyday Swedish and appears in both formal and informal registers.

See also: fire safety, lighting, and related verbs in Swedish that describe turning off or extinguishing, such as stänga (to close) in broader contexts.