Hygge (hyggelig)
The ultimate Danish word. It means a state of lovely cosiness, on your own or with people you like. Doesn’t have to involve food, but it involves good feelings and happiness. You can hygge in front of the telly, or you can hygge at the local café. In front of the log fire with a good book is a nice place to hygge, too. Why don’t you hygge in our tipis on our fabulous chill out packages in front of our fire pits!
Same word in Norwegian is Koselig.
Utepils
A brilliant Norwegian word that simply means: To sit outside and enjoy a beer.
Forelsket
Norwegian and Danish word that means: That intoxicatingly euphoric feeling you experience when you’re first falling in love. Pre-real-love. More than fancy, less than love.
Kärleksförklaring
Basically a word for a “declaration of love” it is a beautiful Swedish word and can actually, also be used in a platonic sense. Because who doesn’t want to express their love to their friends as well!
Linslus
A Swedish word, meaning ‘lens louse’ – Someone who always wants to have their face in a photo. Will you be chief linslus at your event and photobomb every picture?!
Gökotta
Swedish – to wake up in the morning with the purpose of going out to hear the birds sing.
Gluggavedur
Literally ‘window weather’ in Icelandic, the type of weather that is best appreciated indoors
Bagstiv
Waking up still drunk from the night before in Danish
Arbejdsglæde
When your work is a source of joy and happiness in Danish
Rađljosót
When there is enough light in a place for you to find your way around
Orka
Another Swedish word, this one meaning ‘to have the energy’. Which ironically, takes less energy to say than “have the energy”.
Uitwaaien
A Dutch word, Uitwaaien literally translates to ‘a walk in the wind’. However it is more commonly used in the figurative sense, meaning to take a break in the country to clear one’s head.
Voorpret
In the Netherlands, this word is used to mean “pre-fun”. The closest interpretation could be ‘anticipation’, but has a greater sense of joy more than anxiety.
Sambo
What to call that person who you’re not married to, but have a long-term, committed relationship with? SAMBO! Easy as that.
Mysa
Oh, the joy of coming home after a long day of work and mysa-ing. You can mysa by yourself, with one person, or a group. The idea of mysa-ing encompasses relaxation, hanging out, being comfortable, having a good time, being content, enjoying the moment, and recharging.
Harkla
Ok, we can admit, this one’s not so common, but it is great. It’s used to describe that little coughing noise one makes, often before giving a speech or dislodging cinnamon bun pieces from their throat.
Hinna
This is an enormously common verb in Swedish, meaning “to find the time” or “to be on time”. You better make sure you will hinna to your wedding!!
Mormor/farmor/morfar/farfar
As well as being a tongue twister for the rookie Swedish learner, this combination is a brilliant selection of words we desperately need in English. These are the words for your grandparents – (Mothermother, fathermother, motherfather, fatherfather).
Fjell/ Fjellkjede
Word meaning mountains from old Norse. Fjellkjede means mountain range or berg in Swedish. Perhaps you could have your wedding in the Fjellkjede of the Lake District?
Tjörn
Norse word meaning pond – we now use the word tarn which describes a mountain lake or pool, formed by glaciers.
Sami
An indigenous people living in Lapland of Finland, Sweden and Norway and Kola Peninsula in Russia. The Sami are one of the oldest indigenous groups in Europe.
Lavvu
The Lavvu is a temporary dwelling used by the Sami people of northern Scandinavia. Its simplicity enabled the Sami to move quickly with their semi-domesticated reindeer herds at a moment’s notice. This structure enabled the indigenous cultures of the treeless plains of northern Scandinavia and the High Arctic of Eurasia to live in harmony with nature.
Tipi
From the Lakota word ‘Thipi’ which means dwelling, also known as Teepees, they provided warmth and comfort in winter and cool in the summer heat, and dry in the rain!
Kata
The Sami people of Scandinavia used this word to which means the same as tipi (teepee) or Kota in Finnish and Gamme in Norwegian.
Now you have the knowledge! Use it wisely!