The word "hygge" is used in Danish and Norwegian to describe a warm, happy feeling that comes from comfort and spending time with others. This idea, which includes certain traditions and ways of living, has similar meanings in both countries. However, Denmark has placed more importance on hygge in recent years, especially since the late 1900s. In the 2000s, people outside of Denmark and Norway have also become familiar with the concept.

Etymology

The word "hygge" is believed to come from a Danish word meaning "to instill courage, give comfort, joy." It is linked to the Old Norse word "hyggja," which means "to think." "Hygge" also comes from the Old Norse "hugr," later "hug," which refers to the soul, mind, and consciousness.

Some people think "hygge" might instead come from a word spelled the same way but with a different meaning, "hug," which appeared in the 1560s as "hugge," meaning "to embrace." The origin of "hugge" is unclear, but it is connected 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, consider."

The word "hygge" first appeared in Danish writing in the 19th century and has since become a cultural idea in Denmark and Norway. In both countries, "hygge" has the same meaning and is commonly used, including in forms like "hyggelig." However, the focus on "hygge" as an important part of Danish culture is stronger than in Norway, where it 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 pleasant and highly valued everyday experience of safety, equality, personal wholeness, and natural social interactions."

The word "hygge" refers to something that feels nice, cozy, safe, and familiar. It describes a mental state. 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 support happiness and well-being."

In the book "Cultural Semantics and Social Cognition: a Case Study on Danish Universe of Meaning," De Gruyter Mouton discusses the difficulty of translating hygge into English. Differences in translation have caused varied understandings of the word.

Hygge is also linked 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. Such rooms often include soft, neutral colors, simple, open layouts, and an emphasis on daily comfort and practicality.

Hygge's cultural impact on Denmark

Hygge is a way of life for Danes that represents a feeling of warmth, simplicity, and being fully present in the 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, in winter, Danes often prepare homemade food, such as cakes or meatballs. Hygge also affects Danish interior design throughout the year. While traditions like baking pies, wearing sweaters, drinking hot cocoa, and eating soup are linked to holidays, hygge is not limited to autumn and winter. Hygge can happen in summer as well. Examples of warm-weather activities considered hygge include picnics, barbecues, concerts, street fairs, and cycling. In an article titled "6 Ways to get that Hygge feeling, even in the Summer Swelter," Lindsey Robert suggests giving furniture new uses, adding indoor plants, cleaning spaces, changing textiles, choosing special decor items, and designing outdoor areas.

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

Studies show that many Danes play video games (for example, 96% of Danish males aged 13–19 play daily). It is not surprising that hygge has influenced the video game industry in Denmark. Danish gamers work together to create a sense of community in shared online spaces. They encourage good behavior and fairness to keep things peaceful. Research in Denmark links gaming to better social skills and academic success, largely because of the cultural value placed on hygge.

Hygge's international influence

The idea of hygge has spread to countries beyond Denmark. For example, in an article titled "Home with Hygge," Broyles explains that Americans often aim for bigger goals, yet the World Happiness Report shows they rank eighteenth in national happiness, while Danes regularly rank among the top three. Some people have started using the Hygge Manifesto to simplify their lives.

Denmark, Danish people, and Danish businesses and groups have used hygge as a way to influence others in international matters. Examples include Danish green companies trying to attract skilled workers from other countries, Carlsberg, a large Danish alcohol company, 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 their university.

Hygge may represent a larger traditional Scandinavian and Nordic cultural idea shaped by the region's history and environment. It comes from the Danish language, as well as Norwegian. Many writers believe hygge's meaning began in 18th-century Norwegian, connected to ideas like fire, safety, family bonds, comfort, joy, order, and peace. Specifically, hygge has roots in Old Norse, linked to fire, which provides warmth and light to protect people from dangers outside the home.

By looking at the physical geography and history of Scandinavian and Nordic areas, including long, cold winters, poor farming in some places, and time spent away from home on fishing and trading in harsh seas, we can see how people in the region developed values focused on comfort and community. 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 "Mys" or "Mysigt" and "Koselig," which describe feelings of warmth, comfort, and spending quality time with family and friends. Iceland has a phrase called "þetta reddast," meaning "it will all work out," which became common because of life in a harsh, cold environment. Finland, though different culturally from Scandinavian countries, has a similar concept called "sisu," described as bravery, determination, and perseverance. While "sisu" is more intense than hygge, Finland also has traditions like sauna culture, a connection to nature, and appreciation for warmth and light, which are similar to hygge.

Therapeutic benefits

Many activities can help reduce feelings of anger and worry while helping people feel more connected. These activities, called hygge, are shared by The Happiness Institute. They can make people feel loved, warm, and safe because oxytocin is released. Doing hygge activities may improve how people feel overall. Some people use these practices as part of a complete way to take care of their health. Examples of these activities include using candles and lights to change the environment, enjoying time in nature, taking baths or getting massages, using cozy blankets, writing in a journal to focus on the present, and spending time on spiritual growth through meditation or prayer.

In popular culture

In 2016, the Collins English Dictionary named "hygge" as the runner-up, following Brexit, for the word of the year in the UK. 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 with people around the world in late 2017. This led to more online searches for the word and the creation 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 describes feeling comfortable, happy, and together.

In the Australian TV show Neighbours, a character named Jemima Davies-Smythe uses hygge in 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 with the phrase "SEASIDE KNITTING STUDIO'S FIRST HOLIDAY HYGGE." The poster and her friends discuss what hygge means. The book also 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 owned by Sweden, created "Hygge Lounges" on its Irish Sea ferry services to offer relaxation. In November 2020, a vacation rental brand called "The Hygge Suite" opened in Giants Ridge, Minnesota. Later, two more locations opened in Lutsen, Minnesota, to help people relax with their loved ones. 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 homeware company, has used the idea of hygge in its marketing of products.

Similar words

• In Dutch, the word gezelligheid refers to comfort and coziness, but it focuses more on being with others than on a specific place.
• In German, Gemütlichkeit means a feeling of warmth, friendliness, and a sense of belonging.
• In Japanese, the word mattari describes a calm and relaxed state.
• In Norwegian, the word koselig is used to describe warmth, closeness, and being together in a pleasant environment.
• In Swedish, the word mysig (and the related word mys) describes a warm and happy atmosphere of being together in a nice place.
• In Yiddish, the word heimish means "familiar, homey, informal, cozy, and warm."
• In Swedish, lagom means "not too much, not too little"; it shares similar ideas with Hygge’s belief that "less is more."
• In Costa Rica, the Spanish phrase pura vida (which means "pure life") expresses a carefree, relaxed, and happy way of life.