hygge

I have just discovered this word/concept and fallen completely, madly in love with it.

First things first. It's a Danish word of Norwegian origin. On both counts I can lay ethnic claim (unlike some of my other favorite words/concepts which tend to be Eastern or Mediterranean).

Second, it has no direct English translation. This makes it all the more endearing.

But what does it meeean?

According to Wikipedia, it is most frequently translated "coziness" or "tranquility." But neither of these does the term justice. So you have to resort to scenes to convey the message.

Imagine a table laden with food and drink surrounded by family and close friends. By twinkling candlelight, they lean in close, laughing together and just enjoying the company. They are completely immersed in the joy of that particular moment without concern for anything else.

That's hygge.

It reminds me of both the general concepts of Zen and the Italian ideal of il dolce far niente, "the sweetness of doing nothing." Except, unlike those two, I have a claim on this.

And I'm kinda excited about it.