The Language of Hygge

   While the Brits (I am one of them) often call hygge 'cosiness', it loses a lot when described this way. Hygge is a hard word to translate, it is both an adjective and a verb. You can have a hyggelig (hygge-like) living room a hyggelig time and it can be hyggelig to see someone. It can be said how hyggelit it's going to be and how hyggelig it was. You can wonder if your guest hyggede themselves. The words hygge and hyggelig are almost overused in Denmark, they talk about how hyggelig everything is all the time. It is a hard concept to translate. In English we seem to use the word enjoy in the place of hygge. We look forward and back to things we enjoy or expect to, we hope our guests enjoy themselves. Hygge is not necessarily about enjoyment though. Like I said, it's hard to translate. There are a lot of people who believe it can't be translated. There are other countries that have their own word for their concept of hygge.

The Netherlands

  Gezelligheid translates as cosy, quaint or nice and it seems similar to hygge. A gezellig café would be pictured with a warm interior, flickering candles and a sleeping cat. A gezellig bar would serve only vintage beers and play old records. It is emphasized the gezelligheid is more social then hygge. While they share things such as candles, fireplaces and Christmas as core elements, 57% of Dutch people agree you experience the most gezelligheid outside only 27% of the Danes agree. Also the Dutch say summer is the prime time for gezelligheid whereas the best season for hygge is considered to be Autumn for the Danes.

Norway

  Koselig is a feeling of warmth, intimacy and getting together. For Norwegians, ideally everything should be koselig. A koselig evening would consist of good food on the table, warm colours around you, a group of friends and either a fireplace or candles. Looking back I realise I've had the good fortune to enjoy many of these evenings at the homes of family and friends.

Canada

  Hominess is a word not exclusive to Canada but means something specific to Canadians. Hominess describes a state of shutting out the outside world. It implies a feeling of community and togetherness. Hominess also refers to things that resemble home or echo the feeling of home. Both a situation and property can be homey. Like hygge in is a feeling of warmth, authenticity and togetherness.

Germany

  Gemutlichkelt is used to cover the state of warmth, friendliness and belonging. It is often used to describe the atmosphere at a German beer garden.  Visiting an Oktoberfest in Germany, you are even likely to hear the song 'Ein Prost der Gemutlichkeit' (A Toast to Cosiness).

  Something a lot of people seem to be interested in is the origin of words. Hygge is an unusual word which is difficult to translate satisfactorily. While the word was first written in Danish in the 1800s, it is actually Norwegian in origin.

   Between 1397 and 1814, Denmark and Norway were one kingdom. The original word in Norwegian means 'well-being'. However hygge could come from 'hug', which comes from 'hugge' which, of course, means 'to embrace'. The word 'hugge' is unknown in origin though may come from the Old Norse word 'hygga', which means 'to comfort', which comes from the word 'hugr' meaning 'mood'. In turn, that word comes from the Germanic word 'hugjan', which relates to the Old English 'hycgan', meaning  'to think, consider'. Interestingly, 'consideration', 'mood', 'comfort', 'hug' and 'well-being' may all be words to describe hygge today. If you read all that I applaud you. 

  Today it seems, more and more people are getting in hygge. There are books, articles, websites, blogs (I know I am not the only one) and goodness knows what else about hygge. It is something people worldwide seem to be embracing as a way to improve their lives. Of course, with the pandemic and lockdown, hygge is hard to achieve. It is not impossible though. We are in lockdown with people, sometimes we have a bubble and we can, in some cases, still meet our friends as long as we're sensible about it and follow the rules.  Feel free to read my previous post on how to keep the hygge during lockdown if you want some tips, in the meantime perhaps just use the lingo. which bring us to...

Hygge Dictionary

Fredagshygge/ Sondagshygge (Fredashooga/Sundashooga)

 Hygge you have on Fridays or Sundays. After a long week, fredagshygge usually means the family curling up on the couch together watching TV. Sondagshygge is about having a slow day with tea, books, music, blankets and perhaps the occasional walk.

Hyggebukser (hoogabucksr)

  That one pair of trousers you would never wear in public but are so comfortable that they are your favourite.

Hyggehjornet (hoogajornet)

  To be in the mood for Hygge.

Hyggekrog (hoogacrow)

  A comfortable nook where one can sit and have a hyggelig time.

Hyggeonkel (hoogaunkel)

  A person who plays with the kids and let's them get away with a lot.

Hyggesnak (hoogasnak)

  Cosy converation that doesn't touch on controversial issues.

Hyggestund (hoogastun)

  A moment of hygge.

Uhyggeligt (uh-hoogalit)

  Essentially un-hygge, it means creepy or scary.

  

You can use these words in conversation, in plans and, when we can, invite your friends round for a hyggelig evening. You don't need to learn the lingo but why not? A bit of fun if nothing else. So, go to your hyggekrog, have some hyggestund with a hyggesnak and have a hyggelig time.

I am not affiliated in any way with Meik Wiking, The Happiness Research Institute, Copenhagen, Penguin Books or Printer Trento. Copyright infringement of any kind is unintentional.

Light

 The word for spoilsport in Danish is lyseslukker, which literally means 'the one who put out the candles'. While candles are loved by the Danes 4% don't, so it's not a strict hygge rule or anything. Light however, and the atmosphere it creates is an important part of hygge. With short summers and 179 days of rain per year, Danes have little light from October to March. Inside lighting becomes very important when the natural world offers so little light.

Candles

  When Danes are asked what they most associate with hygge, 85% will mention candles. Now, not everyone likes candles. Some dislike how they smell when you blow them out, some don't like the kind of light they cast and some associate them with unpleasant memories. While it is not a necessity to use candles to achieve hygge it is one of the ways the Danes prefer to do it. Feel free to skip this section and scroll down to lamps.

   The Danes hold the European record for the most candle wax burned a year. The Danes burned around 6 kilos of candle wax a year, the second highest consumption in Europe is 3.16 kilos in Austria, almost 50% less. However, scented candles are considered artificial so scented candles are not considered hygge. I personally find some scented candles quite soothing myself so I don't think I'm being too outlandish to use a scented candle while achieving hygge.

  Of course caution should be used when lighting candles. especially, if you are lighting more than one. Candles shouldn't be left unattended, they should be on a fireproof surface, ideally in a candle holder and they should be kept away from flammable surfaces. Also the room should be well ventilated, breathing in too much smoke from a candle can be detrimental to health. Of course I doubt we light candles with as much frequency or quantity as the Danes but it pays to be cautious.

  

Danish Candle Use

How often:

• Everyday 28%
• 4-6 Days per Week 23%
• 1-3 Days per Week 23%
• 1-3 Days per Month 8%
• Never 4%
• Don't Know 14%

How many at once:

• One 5%
• Two 16%
• Three 13%
• Four 16%
• Five 8%
• More 31%
• Don't Know 11%

Lamps

  Lighting is practically an art form with the Danes. The rule of thumb is the lower the temperature of the light, the more hygge it is. Candles, wood and sunsets is about 1,800 Kelvin, that is you hygge sweet spot. Warm LED lights are usually about right. Usually, several small lamps around a room create a more hyggelit light that one big lamp in the ceiling. Small caves and/or pools of light around the room.

   While it does sound like a small thing, lighting is a big part of hygge. Though it loses some important associations when we equate hygge as 'cosiness' it helps when you think about lighting. A big bright room isn't cosy, a dimly lit room, especially a small one like a snug, is considered cosy. Of course when it is summer, using the sunlight is considered hygge too, don't think you have to sit in the dark to enjoy hygge, just remember not to blind yourself, you can see by the light of a small, warm lamp after all. Enjoy the we time in a cosy setting.