The word hygge (pronounced "hoo-guh") is used in Danish and Norwegian to describe a warm, happy feeling that comes from being comfortable and enjoying time with others. It is a shared cultural idea in both countries, with similar meanings. However, it has become especially important in Danish culture only in recent years, starting in the late 1900s. In the 2000s, the concept of hygge became known to people outside of Denmark and Norway.

Etymology

The word "hygge" is commonly believed to come from a Danish word that means "to give courage, comfort, and joy." It is linked to the Old Norse word "hyggja," which means "to think." This word is connected to "hugr" in Old Norse, later "hug," which refers to the soul, mind, or consciousness.

Some experts suggest that "hygge" might also come from the word "hug," which appeared in the 1560s as "hugge," meaning "to embrace." The origin of "hugge" is unclear, but it is closely tied to the Old Norse word "hygga," meaning "to comfort," which comes from "hugr," meaning "mood." "Hugr" is related to the Old English word "hycgan" and the Germanic word "hugyan," both meaning "to think" or "to consider."

The word "hygge" first appeared in Danish writing in the 19th century. Over time, it became an important part of Danish and Norwegian culture. In both countries, "hygge" has the same meaning, and it is widely used, including in forms like "hyggelig." However, the focus on "hygge" as a key part of cultural identity is mainly associated with Denmark. In Norway, "hygge" is simply a word, similar to the English word "cozy."

Use

In both Danish and Norwegian, the word hygge describes "a form of everyday togetherness" and "a happy and important daily experience of safety, equality, personal wholeness, and a natural flow of social interaction."

The word hygge includes ideas of something nice, cozy, safe, and familiar. It refers to a mental feeling. The Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen has studied how hygge positively affects Danish society.

According to the Collins English Dictionary, hygge is "a concept from Denmark that involves creating warm and friendly environments that help people feel better."

In the book Cultural Semantics and Social Cognition: a Case Study on Danish Universe of Meaning, published by De Gruyter Mouton, the challenge of translating hygge into English is discussed. Differences in translation have caused different understandings of the word.

Hygge is also connected to modern interior design, especially in homes inspired by Scandinavian styles. These spaces focus on comfort, simplicity, and the use of natural materials and soft lighting. They often include neutral colors, organized layouts, and a strong emphasis on daily comfort and practicality.

Hygge's cultural impact on Denmark

Hygge is a way of life for people in Denmark that focuses on feeling cozy, simple, and enjoying the present moment. Researchers Smoyer and Miking describe hygge as a "restorative practice" and note that Danes strongly value it. Meik Wiking, the author of The Little Book of Hygge, created the Hygge Manifesto, which lists ten important ideas: atmosphere, presence, pleasure, equality, gratitude, comfort, togetherness, harmony, truce, and shelter. Wiking believes these ten ideas are important for living a happy life.

Many Danish traditions are influenced by hygge. For example, during winter, Danes often cook meals like cakes or meatballs from scratch. Hygge also affects how Danes design their homes throughout the year. While traditions like baking pies, celebrating holidays, wearing sweaters, drinking hot cocoa, and eating soup are linked to the holiday season, hygge is not limited to autumn and winter. In summer, people enjoy activities like picnics, barbecues, concerts, street fairs, and cycling as examples of hygge. In an article titled "6 Ways to get that Hygge feeling, even in the Summer Swelter," Lindsey Robert suggests ways to create hygge in warm weather, such as reusing furniture, adding plants indoors, cleaning spaces, changing textiles, choosing special decor, and designing outdoor areas.

Hygge also affects life in Danish jails. In a study titled "Hygge: Food and the Construction of Safety among Incarcerated Women in Denmark," researchers Smoyer and Minke found that women in jail are allowed to wear their own clothes and make their cells as simple and cozy as possible. The study concluded that hygge helped these women feel safer and more comfortable.

Studies show that many Danes play video games, such as 96% of Danish males aged 13–19 who play daily. This is not surprising, as hygge has influenced the video game industry in Denmark. Danish gamers work together to create a sense of community in online spaces, encouraging kindness toward others and fairness in games to maintain harmony. Research in Denmark links gaming to better social skills and academic success, partly because of the cultural focus on hygge.

Hygge's international influence

The idea of hygge has spread to countries other than Denmark. For example, in an article titled "Home with Hygge," Broyles explains that Americans often desire bigger things, but according to the World Happiness Report, they rank eighteenth in happiness worldwide, while Danes regularly rank among the top three. Some people have started using the Hygge Manifesto to help them live more simply.

Denmark, Danish people, and Danish companies and groups have used hygge as a way to influence politics and relationships with other countries. Examples include Danish companies focused on the environment trying to attract skilled workers from other places, the Danish beer company Carlsberg promoting the connection between drinking beer and enjoying sports events, and the University of Copenhagen stating that the comfort of hygge is a reason international students should choose to study there.

Hygge may represent a larger tradition shared by Scandinavian and Nordic cultures, shaped by the region’s history and environment. The word hygge comes from both Danish and Norwegian languages. Many writers believe it originated in 18th-century Norwegian and relates to ideas like fire, safety, family bonds, comfort, joy, order, and peace. Specifically, hygge has roots in Old Norse, which connected to fire, as its warmth and light protected people from dangers outside their homes.

Looking at the physical geography and history of Scandinavian and Nordic regions, where winters are long, cold, and wet, and where people spent time away from home fishing and trading in harsh seas, helps explain why these cultures value social comfort. For example, Sweden has a similar idea called "Lagom," meaning "not too much, not too little," which shares values with hygge’s "less is more" approach. Norway and Sweden both have terms like "Koselig" or "Mys" that describe feelings of warmth, comfort, and spending quality time with family and friends. Iceland has a phrase "þetta reddast," meaning "it will all work out," which became common due to life in a tough, cold environment. Finland, though different culturally from Scandinavian countries, has a concept called "sisu," which describes traits like bravery and perseverance. While sisu is more intense than hygge, Finland also values comfort, as seen in traditions like sauna use, enjoying nature, and finding warmth and light.

Therapeutic benefits

Many activities can help reduce feelings of hostility and anxiety while improving how people connect with each other. These hygge activities, shared by The Happiness Institute, are known to create feelings of love, warmth, and safety because they cause the body to release a hormone called oxytocin. Taking part in hygge practices may help improve a person's overall sense of wellbeing. Some people who use these practices may include them in a complete approach to their health care. Examples of these activities include changing the environment with candles and lighting, enjoying time in nature, feeling relaxed through baths, massage, or cozy blankets, practicing mindfulness by writing in a journal, and focusing on spiritual growth through meditation or prayer.

In popular culture

In 2016, the Collins English Dictionary chose "hygge" as the runner-up for word of the year in the UK, following "Brexit." This came after several books about hygge were sold in the UK, including 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.

The idea of hygge became popular worldwide in late 2017, leading to more online searches and the use of the hashtag "#Hygge" on Instagram.

In Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, there is a walking tour called "Hygge & Happiness."

Act II of the Broadway musical Frozen begins with a song titled "Hygge," which focuses on being comfortable, happy, and together.

In the Australian TV show Neighbours, a character named Jemima Davies-Smythe uses hygge when redesigning her half-brother Karl Kennedy’s living room.

In the 2019 book A Murderous Tangle by Sally Goldenbaum, a character named Nell sees a poster that says, "SEASIDE KNITTING STUDIO'S FIRST HOLIDAY HYGGE." The poster explains what hygge means and describes a group of friends who meet every Thursday for food, conversation, warmth, and knitting. Chapter 9 describes the first hygge event, which happened successfully even though the day was cold and damp and there was news of a murder.

In 2019, a housing development in Keynsham, Somerset, UK, was named "Hygge Park" by the developer Crest Nicholson.

Stena Line, a ferry company from Sweden, created "Hygge Lounges" on its Irish Sea ferry services for relaxation. In November 2020, a vacation rental brand called "The Hygge Suite" opened in Giants Ridge, Minnesota, with two more locations in Lutsen, Minnesota. These places aim to help people relax with their loved ones away from cities. In September 2022, a hotel named "Hotel Hygge" opened in Buellton, California.

In the second episode of the second season of the BBC sitcom Motherland, titled "Soft Opening," a character named Amanda opens a store called "Hygge Tygge," which means "cozy chewing" in Danish.

In the Ghost and Molly McGee episode "Ready, Set, Snow," Molly tries to enjoy a snow day while her family and friend Libby stay inside to experience hygge.

IKEA, a large Swedish home goods company, has used hygge as a theme in its product marketing.

Similar words

• In Dutch, the word gezelligheid relates to comfort and coziness, but it focuses on being with others rather than a specific place (such as being with good friends anywhere).
• In German, Gemütlichkeit means a feeling of warmth, friendliness, and a sense of belonging.
• In Japanese, the word まったり (mattari) is an adjective or verb that describes a calm and relaxed feeling.
• In Norwegian, the adjective koselig describes a feeling of warmth, closeness, and gathering with others in a pleasant environment.
• In Swedish, the adjective mysig (and the related noun mys) describes a warm and pleasant atmosphere of being together in a nice place.
• In Yiddish, the adjective heiimish means familiar, homey, informal, cozy, and warm.
• In Swedish, the word lagom means "not too much, not too little," which is similar to the idea behind Hygge of enjoying simple, meaningful things.
• In Costa Rica, the Spanish phrase pura vida (which means "pure life") expresses a carefree, relaxed, and optimistic way of life.