hyggelig

Hyggelig is a Danish and Norwegian adjective meaning cozy, pleasant, or nice, and it is used to describe atmosphere, situations, places, or people. In Danish, hyggelig can describe a friendly person as well as a warm, comfortable setting. For example, one might say a person is hyggelig or a room is hyggelig. The neuter form hyggeligt is used with neuter nouns and as a predicative form, as in et hyggeligt hjem or det var hyggeligt. In Norwegian, the term is used similarly to convey coziness and pleasantness.

The word is closely linked to the Danish cultural concept hygge, which denotes a mood of contentment and well-being through simplicity, comfort, and sociability. Hygge is a noun, while hyggelig is the corresponding adjective. The exact origin of hygge is uncertain, but both terms center on creating a warm, convivial atmosphere.

Usage and nuance: hyggelig can describe people (a hyggelig person), places (et hyggeligt café), and moments (en hyggelig aften). It often implies sociable, easygoing, and friendly connotations, and is widely used in everyday speech as well as in design, hospitality, and lifestyle contexts. In some cases, hyggelig also carries a sense of homely or charming simplicity, rather than luxury or extravagance.

Cross-linguistic note: while Danish and Norwegian share the word and core sense, regional usage and nuance may vary slightly. The term has gained international recognition through the broader hygge phenomenon, though hyggelig remains primarily a Danish-Norwegian descriptor.