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A2 adjective 6 min read

blek

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips blek in 30 Seconds

Explanation blek in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn 'blek' as a simple adjective to describe how someone looks. It is one of the basic words for physical appearance. You might use it in very simple sentences like 'Jag är blek' (I am pale) or 'Han är blek'. At this stage, you don't need to worry too much about the metaphorical meanings. Just focus on the fact that it means 'pale' and usually refers to the face when someone is tired or cold. It is a useful word to know if you need to tell someone you are not feeling well. You should also start to notice that it changes slightly depending on the word it describes, though most A1 learners stick to the basic 'en-word' form 'blek'. Think of it as a companion to words like 'trött' (tired) and 'sjuk' (sick).

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'blek' in more varied contexts. You should be comfortable with the three main forms: 'blek' (common), 'blekt' (neuter), and 'bleka' (plural/definite). You will use it to describe not just people, but also colors and light. For example, 'en blek gul färg' (a pale yellow color) or 'det bleka ljuset' (the pale light). You should also learn the common phrase 'blek om nosen', which is a slightly idiomatic way to say someone looks a bit pale or unwell. At this level, you might also see 'blek' used in simple comparisons, like 'hon är blekare än jag' (she is paler than I). It's a key word for expanding your descriptive vocabulary beyond the most basic colors.

By B1, you should understand the metaphorical uses of 'blek'. This is where the word becomes more interesting. You will encounter it in news articles and reviews to describe a 'blek insats' (a pale/weak effort) or a 'blek kopia' (a pale imitation). You should recognize that in these contexts, 'blek' means something is lacking energy, originality, or strength. You will also start to see compound words like 'dödsblek' (deathly pale) or 'likblek' (pale as a corpse). Your understanding of adjective agreement should be perfect by now, and you should be able to choose between 'blek' and synonyms like 'ljus' or 'färglös' depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. You're moving from just describing what you see to describing how you feel about the quality of something.

At the B2 level, 'blek' is a word you use with nuance in both writing and speech. You understand its role in Swedish literature and media. You can use it to describe subtle shifts in atmosphere—'en blek stämning' (a pale/subdued atmosphere). You are familiar with more advanced idioms and can use the word to add flavor to your descriptions. For instance, you might describe a politician's speech as 'en blek figur' (a pale/unimpressive figure). You also understand the technical side of the word, such as 'blekt' being the past participle of 'bleka' (to bleach), and you can navigate these homonyms without confusion. Your vocabulary is rich enough that 'blek' is just one of many tools you have to describe intensity and color.

At the C1 level, your use of 'blek' is sophisticated. You can use it to discuss aesthetics, art criticism, and complex emotional states. You might analyze how an author uses 'bleka metaforer' (pale metaphors) to reflect a character's internal void. You are aware of the historical and etymological roots of the word and how it relates to other Germanic languages. You can use the word in formal academic writing or high-level professional contexts to describe data that is 'blekt' (unconvincing or weak). You understand the social connotations of the word in Sweden, such as its relation to the 'winter depression' (årstidsbunden depression) and how it's used in cultural discourse about health and beauty standards.

At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of 'blek'. You can use it with absolute precision, catching every possible connotation and double meaning. You might use it in creative writing to create specific, haunting imagery. You are comfortable with archaic or poetic uses of the word that might appear in older Swedish literature or hymns. You can play with the word, using it in puns or complex rhetorical devices. For you, 'blek' is not just a word for 'pale'; it is a versatile instrument that can evoke a vast range of meanings from the physical to the metaphysical. You can effortlessly switch between its literal meaning in a scientific context and its most abstract metaphorical meaning in a philosophical discussion.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

blek in 30 Seconds

Blek is the Swedish word for 'pale', used for skin, colors, and light.
It changes to 'blekt' for neuter nouns and 'bleka' for plural/definite forms.
Metaphorically, it describes weak efforts or uninspired performances in sports and art.
It is a common way to describe looking sick or shocked in everyday conversation.

The Swedish adjective blek primarily translates to 'pale' in English. At its most basic level, it describes a lack of color or intensity. While it is frequently used to describe human skin—often implying illness, shock, or a lack of sunlight—its utility extends far beyond the human face. In the Swedish language, 'blek' is a versatile tool for describing everything from the weak rays of a winter sun to the faded fabric of an old pair of jeans. Understanding 'blek' requires recognizing the nuances of Swedish aesthetics, which often value subtle, muted tones, but also the cultural sensitivity towards health and well-being.

Physical Appearance: When someone is described as blek, it usually suggests they are unwell (sjuk), tired (trött), or perhaps frightened (rädd). It is the opposite of 'solbränd' (tanned) or 'frisk' (healthy-looking/rosy).
Color and Light: It describes colors that are not vivid. A 'blek blå' is a pale blue. It also describes light sources that lack warmth or strength, such as the moon or a winter sun.

Hon blev alldeles blek när hon hörde nyheten.

Metaphorically, 'blek' is used to describe performances or efforts that lack impact. If a football team plays without energy, a journalist might describe their performance as 'en blek insats' (a pale/weak effort). This usage is very common in Swedish media and critiques. It suggests a lack of 'färg' (color) in a figurative sense—meaning it was boring, uninspired, or simply mediocre. This transition from physical color to metaphorical quality is a key step for learners moving from A2 to B1 levels.

Väggen var målad i en blek nyans av gult.

Emotional State: Fear or shock often causes a person to 'bli blek' (turn pale). This is a common trope in Swedish literature to show internal reaction without explicit dialogue.

Using 'blek' correctly requires attention to Swedish adjective agreement. Since 'blek' is an adjective, it must change its ending to match the noun it describes. This is a fundamental rule in Swedish grammar that learners must master. The three forms are blek (en-words/common), blekt (ett-words/neuter), and bleka (plural and definite).

En-words: En blek man (A pale man). Den bleka mannen (The pale man).
Ett-words: Ett blekt ansikte (A pale face). Det bleka ansiktet (The pale face).
Plural: Många bleka blommor (Many pale flowers). De bleka blommorna (The pale flowers).

Solen kändes blek och kall denna januarimorgon.

Beyond simple description, 'blek' is used in comparative and superlative forms: blekare (paler) and blekast (palest). For example, 'Du är blekare än ett lakan' (You are paler than a sheet). This is a common idiom used to exaggerate someone's lack of color. In Swedish, the comparison often uses 'än' (than).

Målningen har tappat sin glans och ser nu blek ut.

In everyday life, you will hear 'blek' in various contexts. In a clinical setting, a doctor might say, 'Patienten ser blek ut' (The patient looks pale). In a social setting, if you haven't seen the sun for a while, a friend might joke, 'Vi behöver gå ut, vi börjar bli bleka' (We need to go out, we're starting to get pale). It is a word that appears in casual conversation just as much as in formal descriptions.

News and Sports: Commentators use 'en blek insats' to describe a team that didn't play well. This is very common in football or hockey summaries.
Literature and Art: Authors use it to set a mood. A 'blek måne' (pale moon) often sets a melancholic or spooky scene in Swedish crime novels (Nordic Noir).

Efter matchen fick laget kritik för en blek prestation.

Another common place to encounter 'blek' is in the world of fashion and interior design. Swedes often favor 'bleka färger' (pale colors) or 'pastellfärger' for their homes to maximize the reflection of limited natural light during the winter months. Therefore, when shopping for paint or clothes, 'blekrosa' (pale pink) or 'blekblå' (pale blue) are standard terms you will see on labels and in catalogs.

One of the most frequent mistakes for English speakers is using 'vit' (white) when they should use 'blek'. While someone can be 'vit som ett lakan' (white as a sheet), generally, humans are 'bleka', not 'vita', when they are sick. Using 'vit' can sound like you are describing a literal paint color rather than a physiological state.

Adjective Agreement: Forgetting to change 'blek' to 'blekt' for ett-words. 'Ett blek ansikte' is incorrect; it must be 'ett blekt ansikte'.
Confusion with the Verb: The verb 'att bleka' means 'to bleach'. Don't confuse 'Jag bleker håret' (I am bleaching my hair) with 'Mitt hår är blekt' (My hair is pale/bleached).

Fel: Han har ett blek ansikte. Rätt: Han har ett blekt ansikte.

Another nuance is the difference between 'blek' and 'ljus' (light). 'Ljus' is often positive or neutral (ljusblå - light blue), whereas 'blek' can sometimes imply that the color has faded or is weak. If you say a room is 'blekt', it might sound like it needs a fresh coat of paint, whereas 'ljust' sounds bright and inviting.

Swedish has several words that overlap with 'blek'. Choosing the right one can make your Swedish sound much more natural. 'Glåmig' is a great alternative when describing a sickly, greyish-pale complexion. It's more specific than 'blek' and often used when someone looks truly exhausted or unhealthy.

Glåmig: Specifically for a dull, sickly complexion. Often used for people who haven't slept or are recovering from a long illness.
Ljus: Means 'light'. Use this for hair (ljushårig) or rooms (ett ljust rum) when you want to sound positive.
Färglös: Literally 'colorless'. Used for things that lack vibrancy, often in a metaphorical sense like 'en färglös personlighet' (a colorless personality).

Han såg inte bara blek ut, han såg direkt glåmig ut efter nattpasset.

In artistic contexts, you might use 'pastell' for pale, soft colors. If something is faded by the sun, you could use 'solblekt' (sun-bleached). Using these more specific terms shows a higher level of Swedish proficiency.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The English word 'bleak' comes from the same root, but in English it evolved to mean 'desolate', while in Swedish it stayed closer to the color 'pale'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /bleːk/

US /bleɪk/

Stress is on the only syllable.

Rhymes With

stek lek vek smek ek resek teck bleck

Common Errors

Pronouncing it like English 'bleak' (with an 'ee' sound). It should be an 'ay' or 'eh' sound.
Making the 'k' too soft.
Shortening the vowel too much.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in texts as it often appears with 'ansikte' or 'färg'.

Writing 3/5

Requires remembering adjective agreement (blek/blekt/bleka).

Speaking 2/5

Simple pronunciation, though the long vowel is key.

Listening 2/5

Clearly pronounced in most dialects.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

vit sjuk färg ansikte se

Learn Next

blekna glåmig pastell insats kopia

Advanced

anemisk vaxartad glåmighet urblekt färgton

Grammar to Know

Adjective Agreement

En blek man / Ett blekt hus / Bleka barn.

Comparison of Adjectives

Blek, blekare, blekast.

Definite Adjectives

Den bleka flickan / Det bleka ansiktet.

Compound Nouns with Adjectives

Blekansikte (pale face/paleface).

Verbs from Adjectives

Blek -> Blekna (to become pale).

Examples by Level

Du är blek.

You are pale.

Simple subject-verb-adjective structure.

Är du blek för att du är sjuk?

Are you pale because you are sick?

Question form with 'för att' (because).

Han ser blek ut idag.

He looks pale today.

The verb 'ser ... ut' means 'looks like'.

En blek sol skiner.

A pale sun is shining.

Adjective 'blek' describing an en-word.

Jag har en blek tröja.

I have a pale sweater.

Describing an object.

Månen är blek ikväll.

The moon is pale tonight.

Describing a natural phenomenon.

Hon blev blek.

She became pale.

The verb 'blev' indicates a change of state.

Barnet är blekt.

The child is pale.

Note: 'blekt' here is because 'barn' is an ett-word.

Väggarna i rummet är bleka.

The walls in the room are pale.

Plural form 'bleka' for 'väggarna'.

Hon har bleka kinder.

She has pale cheeks.

Plural agreement.

Det var ett blekt ljus i skogen.

There was a pale light in the forest.

Neuter form 'blekt' for 'ljus'.

Jag föredrar bleka färger.

I prefer pale colors.

Plural form used as a noun phrase.

Du ser lite blek om nosen ut.

You look a bit pale around the nose (unwell).

Common idiom 'blek om nosen'.

Den bleka flickan satt tyst.

The pale girl sat quietly.

Definite form 'den bleka'.

Huset var målat i en blek nyans.

The house was painted in a pale shade.

Describing a shade (nyans).

Vattnet såg blekt och kallt ut.

The water looked pale and cold.

Neuter form 'blekt' for 'vatten'.

Filmen var tyvärr en ganska blek historia.

The movie was unfortunately a rather pale story (uninspiring).

Metaphorical use meaning 'uninspired'.

Han gav ett blekt intryck under intervjun.

He gave a pale impression during the interview.

Metaphorical use for 'weak' or 'unimpressive'.

Det är bara en blek kopia av originalet.

It is only a pale copy of the original.

Common phrase for 'inferior imitation'.

Solen i november är ofta blek.

The sun in November is often pale.

Describing seasonal light.

Hennes ansikte blev dödsblekt.

Her face became deathly pale.

Compound word 'dödsblekt'.

Laget gjorde en blek insats i första halvlek.

The team made a pale effort in the first half.

Sports terminology for a poor performance.

De bleka minnena började blekna bort.

The pale memories began to fade away.

Contrast between adjective 'bleka' and verb 'blekna'.

Han var blekare än vanligt efter resan.

He was paler than usual after the trip.

Comparative form 'blekare'.

Kritikerna kallade hans nya bok för en blek efterföljare.

Critics called his new book a pale successor.

Metaphorical use in criticism.

Ljuset från den bleka månen lyste upp stigen.

The light from the pale moon illuminated the path.

Atmospheric description.

Hon bar en blekblå klänning på festen.

She wore a pale blue dress at the party.

Compound color 'blekblå'.

Han döljer sin rädsla bakom en blek mask.

He hides his fear behind a pale mask.

Literary metaphor.

Efter sjukdomen var han fortfarande blek och tärd.

After the illness, he was still pale and haggard.

Pairing 'blek' with 'tärd'.

Vinterlandskapet badade i ett blekt, silvrigt sken.

The winter landscape was bathed in a pale, silvery glow.

Poetic description.

Hennes röst lät blek och osäker.

Her voice sounded pale and uncertain.

Synesthetic use of 'blek' for sound.

Det finns en blek strimma av hopp.

There is a pale streak of hope.

Abstract metaphor.

Författaren använder bleka metaforer för att skildra tomhet.

The author uses pale metaphors to depict emptiness.

Advanced literary analysis.

Den politiska debatten var en blek föreställning.

The political debate was a pale performance.

Formal critique.

Han framstod som en blek gestalt i historiens utkant.

He appeared as a pale figure on the periphery of history.

High-level descriptive Swedish.

Den bleka estetiken i filmen förstärker känslan av melankoli.

The pale aesthetic in the film reinforces the feeling of melancholy.

Discussing artistic style.

Trots framgångarna kände han en blek tomhet inombords.

Despite the successes, he felt a pale emptiness inside.

Describing complex emotions.

Hennes argument var bleka i jämförelse med motståndarens.

Her arguments were pale in comparison to her opponent's.

Metaphorical use for 'unconvincing'.

Det blekta fotografiet bar på många hemligheter.

The bleached/faded photograph carried many secrets.

Using 'blekta' as a past participle/adjective.

En blek skugga av sitt forna jag.

A pale shadow of his former self.

Common high-level idiom.

I den bleka gryningen anades konturerna av staden.

In the pale dawn, the contours of the city were sensed.

Poetic/Literary register.

Hans retorik var blek och saknade den glöd som krävdes.

His rhetoric was pale and lacked the fire that was required.

Formal rhetorical analysis.

Målningens bleka kolorit bidrar till dess eteriska kvalitet.

The painting's pale coloring contributes to its ethereal quality.

Technical art terminology.

Det var en blek och intetsägande analys av läget.

It was a pale and vacuous analysis of the situation.

Professional critique.

Den bleka solen förmådde inte skingra dimman.

The pale sun was not able to disperse the fog.

Sophisticated narrative style.

Han var blott en blek statist i sitt eget liv.

He was merely a pale extra in his own life.

Existential metaphor.

Textens bleka karaktär gör den svår att tolka.

The text's pale character makes it difficult to interpret.

Abstract academic use.

En blek aning om vad som komma skulle.

A pale (vague) inkling of what was to come.

Idiomatic use for 'vague'.

Common Collocations

blek om nosen

blek kopia

blek insats

blek hy

blek sol

blek figur

bli blek

blekblå

blekrosa

dödsblek

Common Phrases

Vara blek

— To be pale. Used for health or natural skin tone.

Varför är du så blek?

Se blek ut

— To look pale. Very common observation.

Du ser blek ut, mår du bra?

Blekna bort

— To fade away. Used for memories or colors.

Minnenas bleknar bort med tiden.

En blek skugga

— A pale shadow. Something that is much weaker than it used to be.

Han är en blek skugga av sitt forna jag.

Blek hy

— Pale skin. Standard descriptive term.

Många i Norden har blek hy på vintern.

Blek som ett lakan

— Pale as a sheet. Used for extreme fear or illness.

Han blev blek som ett lakan.

En blek ursäkt

— A pale (weak) excuse. Not very convincing.

Det var en blek ursäkt för att komma sent.

Blek ansiktsfärg

— Pale complexion.

Hon har en naturligt blek ansiktsfärg.

Bleka färger

— Pale colors. Common in design.

Rummet var inrett i bleka färger.

Blek i ansiktet

— Pale in the face.

Du är alldeles blek i ansiktet.

Often Confused With

blek vs vit

Vit is 'white'. Humans are rarely 'vita' unless they are ghosts or covered in flour. Use 'blek' for skin.

blek vs ljus

Ljus means 'light'. A 'ljust' room is bright; a 'blekt' room might just look faded.

blek vs blond

Blond is only for hair. Don't say a face is blond.

Idioms & Expressions

"Blek om nosen"

— To look unwell or slightly sick. Literally 'pale around the nose'.

Är du sjuk? Du ser lite blek om nosen ut.

Informal

"En blek kopia"

— An inferior version of something else.

Den nya versionen är bara en blek kopia.

Neutral

"Blekna i jämförelse"

— To seem much less important or good when compared to something else.

Allt annat bleknar i jämförelse med detta.

Neutral

"Inte ha en blekaste aning"

— To not have the slightest clue. Very common.

Jag har inte en blekaste aning om vart han gick.

Informal

"Blek som en död"

— Extremely pale, looking dead.

Han låg där, blek som en död.

Literary

"En blek gestalt"

— An unimpressive or weak person/character.

Han förblev en blek gestalt i politiken.

Formal

"Blek av skräck"

— Pale with terror.

Hon blev blek av skräck när hon hörde ljudet.

Neutral

"Bleka minnen"

— Faint or vague memories.

Jag har bara bleka minnen från min barndom.

Neutral

"En blek insats"

— A weak or uninspired performance.

Det var en blek insats av landslaget.

Journalistic

"Stå blek"

— To stand there looking shocked or helpless.

Han stod blek och tyst efter beskedet.

Literary

Easily Confused

blek vs blekt

It is both the neuter form of the adjective and the past participle of 'bleka'.

Context determines if it means 'pale' (adj) or 'has been bleached' (verb).

Ett blekt ansikte (pale) vs. Håret är blekt (bleached).

blek vs blekna

It is the verb form.

Blek is a state; blekna is a process.

Han är blek (He is pale) vs. Han bleknar (He is turning pale).

blek vs blank

Sounds similar.

Blank means shiny or empty/blank, not pale.

Ett blankt papper.

blek vs black

Sounds like English 'black'.

Black in Swedish means 'broke' (no money) or 'dull'. It has nothing to do with the color black (svart).

Jag är helt black.

blek vs bleka

Plural form vs. verb infinitive.

Context: 'De bleka barnen' (plural adj) vs. 'Att bleka tänder' (to bleach teeth).

Ska vi bleka lakanen?

Sentence Patterns

Jag är [adjective].

Jag är blek.

Du ser [adjective] ut.

Du ser blek ut.

En [adjective] [noun].

En blek sol.

Det är en blek [noun].

Det är en blek kopia.

Han blev [adjective] av [emotion].

Han blev blek av rädsla.

[Noun] bleknar i jämförelse med [noun].

Allt bleknar i jämförelse med detta.

En [adjective] gestalt i [context].

En blek gestalt i historien.

I den [adjective] [time], [action].

I den bleka gryningen vaknade han.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Common in daily speech, very common in media/reviews.

Common Mistakes

Han är vit. → Han är blek.
Use 'blek' for skin tone; 'vit' sounds like literal paint color.
Ett blek ansikte. → Ett blekt ansikte.
Adjectives must match the neuter gender of 'ansikte'.
Jag är blek i håret. → Jag är ljushårig.
Use 'ljushårig' or 'blond' for hair, not 'blek'.
Hon ser blek ut om näsan. → Hon ser blek om nosen ut.
The idiom specifically uses 'nosen' (the snout/nose of an animal) for a humorous effect.
En blekare färg än rött. → En blekare färg än röd.
Colors as nouns usually stay in their basic form in comparisons.

Tips

Agreement is Key

Always check the noun gender. Ansikte (face) is an ett-word, so it's 'ett blekt ansikte'.

Colors

Combine 'blek' with other colors like 'blekrosa' or 'blekgul' for better descriptions.

Cluelessness

Use 'inte en blekaste aning' to sound much more fluent in casual talk.

Health

If someone looks 'blek', it's a social cue in Sweden to ask if they need water or a seat.

Critique

Read sports news to see 'blek' used for teams that didn't try hard enough.

Interior Design

Use 'bleka toner' when describing the minimalist Scandinavian home style.

Vowel Length

The 'e' in 'blek' is long. Practice by saying 'eeeee' then 'k'.

Than

Use 'än' for comparisons: 'Blekare än...'.

Atmosphere

Use 'den bleka månen' to set a spooky or quiet scene in your stories.

Not Black

Never confuse 'blek' with 'black'. 'Black' in Swedish means being broke!

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'bleak' winter day in Sweden; the sun is 'blek' (pale).

Visual Association

Imagine a person standing in the snow, their face is so light it almost matches the 'blek' white snow.

Word Web

Sjuk Ansikte Färg Sol Måne Vinter Trött Vit

Challenge

Try to use 'blek' in three different ways today: once for a person, once for a color, and once for a performance.

Word Origin

From Old Swedish 'bleker', from Old Norse 'bleikr'. It shares roots with the English word 'bleak' and 'bleach'.

Original meaning: Shining, white, or bright. Over time, it shifted to mean a lack of color.

Germanic

Cultural Context

Be careful when describing people's skin color; 'blek' usually implies health or temporary state rather than ethnicity.

English speakers often use 'bleak' for weather, but 'blek' in Swedish is more about color. Use 'pale' as the primary translation.

The 'bleka' moon in many Swedish folk songs. Descriptions of characters in Astrid Lindgren's more serious books. Sports headlines after a bad national team game.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Health

Mår du bra? Du är blek.
Han blev blek och svimmade.
En blek hy kan tyda på järnbrist.
Du ser blekare ut än igår.

Art/Design

Jag gillar bleka färger.
Väggen är blekgul.
En blek nyans av blått.
Målningen har bleka toner.

Sports

En blek insats av laget.
Han var blek i matchen.
Spelet såg blekt ut.
En blek föreställning.

Weather

En blek vintersol.
Månen var blek.
Ljuset är blekt så här dags.
En blek himmel.

Metaphorical

En blek kopia.
Inte en blekaste aning.
Ett blekt minne.
En blek ursäkt.

Conversation Starters

"Tycker du att folk i Sverige ser blekare ut på vintern?"

"Vilken är din favorit bland alla bleka pastellfärger?"

"Har du någonsin blivit helt blek av skräck?"

"Vad tycker du om filmer som har en blek estetik?"

"När såg du senast en blek sol?"

Journal Prompts

Beskriv en gång när du blev blek om nosen för att du var nervös.

Skriv om en blek vintersol och hur den får dig att känna.

Reflektera över begreppet 'en blek kopia'. Finns det något i ditt liv som känns så?

Beskriv ett rum som bara är inrett med bleka färger.

Varför tror du att vi använder ordet 'blek' för att beskriva en dålig sportinsats?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, it can also describe a natural skin tone, a light color, or a weak performance. However, in conversation about appearance, it often implies a lack of health.

Ljus is 'light' (as in light blue or a bright room). Blek is 'pale' and often carries a connotation of being faded or weak.

Usually, we use 'ljus' or 'blond' for hair. If you say 'blekt hår', it usually means the hair has been chemically bleached.

You use the idiom: 'Jag har inte en blekaste aning'.

It is both! 'En blek man' (en-word) and 'Ett blekt ansikte' (ett-word).

Yes, if a sauce or a piece of meat looks undercooked or lacks color, you can call it 'blek'.

It literally means 'pale about the nose'. It's a cute/informal way to say someone looks a bit ill.

Not necessarily, but it often is when describing performances ('blek insats') or health. In design, it can be neutral.

The superlative is 'blekast' (palest).

Yes, but 'färglös' (colorless) is more common for personality. 'Blek' would mean they are uninspiring or weak.