HYGGE – a Danish and Norwegian word for a mood of coziness. What is Scandinavian Hygge? 10 common questions with answers
NordenBladet – Hygge (/ˈhjuːɡə/ HEW-gə or /ˈhuːɡə/ HOO-gə) is a Danish and Norwegian word for a mood of coziness and comfortable conviviality with feelings of wellness and contentment. As a cultural category with its sets of associated practices hygge has more or less the same meanings in Danish and Norwegian, but the notion is more central in Denmark than Norway. The emphasis on hygge as a part of Danish culture is a recent phenomenon, dating to the late 20th century.
Etymology
The word hygge comes from a Danish word meaning “to give courage, comfort, joy”. Hygge stems from hyggja which means to think in Old Norse. Hygge is built from the Old Norse word hugr which later became the hug which means the soul, mind, consciousness. In Swedish Hygge is a harvested forest area.
But it is also speculated that hygge might originate from the word hug. Hug comes from the 1560s word hugge, which means “to embrace”. The word hugge is of unknown origin but is highly associated with an Old Norse term, hygga, which means “to comfort”, which comes from the word hugr, meaning “mood”. In turn, the word comes from the Germanic word hugyan, which relates to the Old English hycgan, meaning “to think, consider”.
It first appeared in Danish writing in the 19th Century and has since evolved into the cultural idea known in Denmark and Norway today. While hygge has exactly the same meaning in Norwegian as in Danish and is a widely used word in Denmark (including in its derived forms, such as hyggelig), the emphasis specifically on “hygge” as an important part of their cultural identity is mostly a recent Danish phenomenon; in Norway “hygge” is just a word, similar in status to “cozy” in English-speaking countries.
Use
In both Danish and Norwegian, hygge refers to “a form of everyday togetherness”, “a pleasant and highly valued everyday experience of safety, equality, personal wholeness and a spontaneous social flow”.
The noun hygge includes something nice, cozy, safe and known, referring to a psychological state.
In popular culture
Collins English Dictionary named hygge the runner-up (after “Brexit”) as word of the year in the UK in 2016. This followed a period during which several books focusing on hygge had been marketed in the UK, such as The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking, Hygge: The Danish Art of Happiness by Marie Tourell Søderberg, and The Book of Hygge: The Danish Art of Living Well by Louisa Thomsen Brits.
In the Broadway musical Frozen, there is a song called ‘Hygge’, which is all about being comfortable.
In Australian soap opera Neighbours, Jemima Davies-Smythe incorporates hygge into a redesign of her half-brother Karl Kennedy’s living room.
Collins English Dictionary defines the word as “a concept, originating in Denmark, of creating cosy and convivial atmospheres that promote wellbeing”.
Similar words:
* The Dutch word gezelligheid has a similar concept to hygge with both pertaining to comfort and cosiness, but is often more socially oriented.
* In German Gemütlichkeit means the state of warmth, friendliness and belonging.
* The Norwegian adjective koselig is used to describe a feeling of warmth, intimacy and getting together in an agreeable environment.
* The Swedish adjective mysig (and its associated noun mys) describes a pleasant and warm atmosphere of togetherness in a pleasant setting.
* The Japanese adjective/verb mattari has a similar meaning to be/have a comfortable, calm and pleasant time, but it is also applicable to a situation being alone.
1. What is Scandinavian Hygge?
Hygge (/ˈhjuːɡə/ HEW-gə or /ˈhuːɡə/ HOO-gə) is a Danish and Norwegian word for a mood of coziness and comfortable conviviality with feelings of wellness and contentment. … The emphasis on hygge as a part of Danish culture is a recent phenomenon, dating to the late 20th century.
2. What is Hygge style?
It’s called hygge. Pronounced “hoo-gah,” this Danish expression is an attitude towards life that emphasizes finding joy in everyday moments. Rather than drudge through the winter, hygge is about celebrating coziness, warmth and family, as well as practicing mindfulness — and TBH, we love it.
3. What is Hygge life?
Hygge (pronounced hoo-ga) is the Danish art of creating joy & coziness in life’s everyday moments, whatever the season or time of day.
4. How do I get more Hygge?
To achieve optimal hygge in your own home, grab a warm drink, put on your chunkiest sweater, and check out the below tips.
HEAT THINGS UP.
BRING THE OUTDOORS INSIDE.
TURN OFF THE LIGHTS.
STREAMLINE.
REACH FOR SOMETHING SOFT.
SURROUND YOURSELF WITH OBJECTS THAT TELL A STORY.
KEEP THE HOT DRINKS COMING.
SET THE TABLE.
5. How do you make a Hygge?
Here are 8 ways to bring a little hygge into your home.
By Candlelight. When Danes are asked what they most associate with hygge, the vast majority will say candles. …
Find Natural Elements.
Bring in the Books.
Create The Nook.
Feature the Fireplace.
Invoke A Warm Color Palette.
Layer in Textures.
Allow for Vintage Touches.
6. How do you use Hygge in a sentence?
Step One. Hygge is considered by the Danes to be a way of life – a northern European form of maximizing the feeling of peace and comfort. No surprise the winter is the most hygge time of year. So, step number one to bringing hygge into your life is to use it in a relevant, everyday sentence.
7. What is Hygge in Denmark?
Hygge: The Danish Art of Cosiness. Hygge is as Danish as æbleskiver and it goes far in illuminating the Danish soul. In essence, hygge means creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people. The warm glow of candlelight is hygge.
The art of Danish hygge
Hard to explain and even harder to pronounce, the Danish word hygge (sounds a bitlike “hooga”) roughly translates to coziness, but that definition doesn’t quite cover it.
Hygge is as Danish as pork roast and cold beer and it goes far in illuminating the Danish soul. In essence, hygge means creating a nice, warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people around you. The warm glow of candlelight is hygge. Friends and family – that’s hygge too. And let’s not forget the eating and drinking – preferably sitting around the table for hours on end discussing the big andsmall things in life. Perhaps the Danish idea of hygge explains why the Danes are often considered the happiest people in the world?
The high season of hygge
The high season of hygge is Christmas. Danes lead a secular lifestyle but when itcomes to religious holidays, they pull out the stops. Danish winters are known to belong and dark, and so the Danes fight the darkness with their best weapon: hygge, andthe millions of candles that go with it. If you have ever been to Tivoli Gardens or walked the streets of Copenhagen during the festive season, you have an idea of whatDanes can do with lighting, mulled wine (known as gløgg for the locals), blankets and oversize scarves. If you haven’t maybe it’s time you try.
Summer hygge
If you plan on visiting Denmark during the summer months don’t despair. Hygge issomething that happens all year round. Picnics in the park, barbeques with friends,outdoor concerts, street festivals and bike rides can all be very hygge, especiallywhen done the Danish way.
The origins of Danish hygge
Hygge didn’t originate in the Danish language but in Norwegian, where it meant something like “well-being.” It first appeared in Danish writing around the end of the18th Century and the Danes have embraced it ever since. One good thing about hyggeis that you can apply it anywhere, and Danes allocate it generously to everything commonplace, as you will surely find out on your visit to Denmark.
8. Why is Hygge important?
Why “hygge” is so important and helps reduces stress… Because Danes see “hygge” as a way of life, we all try to make it happen. That is, a cozy time together with family and friends. Feeling connected to others gives meaning and purpose to all of our lives and this is why Danes value hygge so highly.
9. Is Hygge a verb?
In both Danish and Norwegian, hygge refers to “a form of everyday togetherness”, “a pleasant and highly valued everyday experience of safety, equality, personal wholeness and a spontaneous social flow”. The noun hygge includes something nice, cozy, safe and known, referring to a psychological state.
10. Where did Hygge originate?
In turn, the word comes from the Germanic word hugyan, which relates to the Old English hycgan, meaning “to think, consider”. It first appeared in Danish writing in the 19th Century and has since evolved into the cultural idea known in Denmark and Norway today.
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