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As winter approaches and the nights start to draw in, comfort and cosiness begin to look increasingly appealing. Whilst temperatures plummet outside, we long for nothing more than to be warm and safe indoors.

In recent years, the Danish term ��hygge�� has become the word to describe that blissful state of contentment and well-being. This is largely thanks to the hundreds of books, blogs and articles dedicated to the quintessentially Danish concept.

Pronounced hhoo-guh, it refers to a deep sense of place, warmth, friendship and contentment. For many, it��s about enjoying the smaller, simpler things in life, like reading a book in front of a fire whilst sipping on a hot chocolate, or putting on a thick, hand-knitted jumper. The term also incorporates a sense of being close to loved ones, feeling safe and stable.

Hygge has become so popular in English, that in 2016 both the Oxford Dictionary and Collins Dictionary named it as one of their words of the year.

Understanding untranslatable words

Hygge is what many people call an untranslatable word �� a word for which there is no exact translation or equivalent in your own language.

Other famous examples would include ��Schadenfreude�� (taking pleasure in the misfortune of others �� German) and ��karma�� (how someone��s actions in this or a past life influence their future or destiny �� Sanskrit).

Words to describe that cosy autumnal feeling

As well as hygge, there are a number of other words outside of the English language that perfectly sum up the experiences we often strive for in autumn.

• Cwtch (kutch). Welsh. More than just a cuddle or hug, it��s a place of sanctuary and safety.
• Gezelligheid (khe-zell-ikh). Dutch. An often shared experience with those you are close to, of feeling cosy, warm and initmate.
• Gemutlichkeit (geh-moot-lish-kite). German. A feeling of comfort, cosiness and homeliness.
• Peiskos (piys-kors). Norwegian. The experience of sitting in front of a crackling fireplace enjoying the warmth.
• Trygghet (trroog-he-ert). Swedish. A sense of security, safety, confidence, certainty and trust.
• F��ng x��n/���� (fang shin). Mandarin Chinese. To feel reassured, relaxed and at ease.
• Talanoa (tuh-luh-nor-uh). Fijian. Telling stories, chatting or gossiping in a way that builds relationships between people.

One Mandarin Chinese phrase that we might particularly long for is K�� q�� g��n l��i (��ȥ�ʁ�). Pronounced koo-choo-gan-lye, it pinpoints that feeling of moving away from pain and towards sweetness, a sense of happiness or relief after living through trying times.

However, as Dr Tim Lomas of the University of East London points out, untranslatable is quite a contentious term.

��On one hand, some people argue that no word is truly untranslatable, as something of its meaning can usually be conveyed in a few words or at least a few sentences; conversely, other people argue that no word is truly translatable, as cultural nuances and layers of meaning imply that something is always 'lost in translation��.��

Why we love to use untranslatable words

Untranslatable words are often used to make up for something that is lacking in our own language, a certain feeling or emotion that we can��t quite express.

Dr Lomas explains: ��One reason we may be drawn to particular words is because they seem to capture an experience that we ourselves may have had but lack a suitable word in our own language, and so they help us express and articulate ourselves in ways we might have previously struggled to.��

It can also be argued that untranslatable words offer us a bit of insight into the culture from which they are taken, even if we don��t completely understand.

��Words gain meanings in lots of complex ways, including through the layers and webs of tradition, values, and experiences in a given culture. So, unless we have deep familiarity with these layers and webs, we'll miss out on the full range of meanings of the word. But even so, we can at least gain some insight into the culture.��

But it��s not just other cultures that untranslatable words can help us understand, argues Dr Lomas.

��Words also can help give us greater insight into our own lives and experiences: they can draw our attention to phenomena we might not have paid much attention to; also, they can help us articulate experiences we may have previously struggled to express.��

This article was published in October 2020 and last updated in October 2023