gleði

Gleði is an Icelandic noun meaning joy, delight, or cheer. It can refer to a momentary feeling of happiness as well as a broader sense of well-being and positive mood. In everyday use, gleði appears in discussions of celebrations, social harmony, and personal outlook.

The term originates from Old Norse gleði and is cognate with related North Germanic forms such as Norwegian glede, Swedish glädje, and Danish glæde, all denoting joy or pleasure. The Icelandic word retains characteristics typical of Old Norse-derived nouns, including its distinctive -ði ending.

In usage, gleði occurs in a range of expressions and compounds. Common phrases include gleði og hamingja (joy and happiness), lífsgleði (joy of life), and gleðin í samskiptum (the joy in social life). The word spans formal and informal registers and appears in literature, media, religious discourse, and therapeutic or well-being contexts.

Culturally, gleði is viewed as a positive and socially significant feeling, often associated with communal well-being, resilience, and constructive social interaction. While it denotes a personal emotion, it is frequently framed as something that can be shared or fostered within a community, contributing to social cohesion and collective morale. Related Icelandic concepts include hamingja (happiness) and glöð, a related adjective describing a cheerful disposition.