How hygge is misunderstood in the English language (in one Twitter thread)
An incisive Twitter thread took apart misunderstandings of the concept of hygge and its dubious grammatical usage in English. See whether you agree with the analysis.
Hygge entered the Oxford English Dictionary a while back now, and countless numbers of Anglophone books have been written about the concept.
But while the concept remains an interest – and aspiration – for many in the English-speaking world, the word itself is more mundane than you might think when used in its original language.
London-based Danish comedian, author and activist Sofie Hagen ripped through what she called “making a wrong about ‘hygge’” in a sharply-worded Twitter thread, posted in response to a headline in the Observer which incorrectly used ‘hygge’ as a countable noun.
What the fuck is 'a hygge'? My Danish heart is a hurt. Maybe I need a chill. Can I have a comfort? Maybe stop making a wrong write about 'hygge'. pic.twitter.com/xY2jjr4STG
— Sofie Hagen is ON TOUR OF THE UK (@SofieHagen) September 25, 2019
Hagen did not hold back on incorrect pronunciations she has come across and wrote that she had even been corrected for pronouncing the word in her native tongue.
This is the worst thing I've heard since a British person said to me 'No, it's pronounced hoo-gah' and someone else said, 'Did you even know about hygge in Denmark before we started talking about it?'
— Sofie Hagen is ON TOUR OF THE UK (@SofieHagen) September 25, 2019
Fun facts about 'hygge':
1. You can't pronounce it.
2. The adjective of 'hygge' is 'hyggeligt'.
3. 'Uhyggeligt', the opposite of 'hyggeligt', means 'spooky'. 'Uhygge' isn't a word.
4. Hygge is free, it doesn't require blankets or candles and you already do it in the UK every day.
— Sofie Hagen is ON TOUR OF THE UK (@SofieHagen) September 25, 2019
She then explained that hygge does not just mean 'cosy' as it is often translated, but encompasses a wide range of expressions and situations.
Hygge is essentially going to the pub with friends, having a Sunday roast with your family, watching a movie with your partner, drinking a cup of tea. In Denmark, hygge isn't 'an event'. It's also just a phrase we say a lot.
— Sofie Hagen is ON TOUR OF THE UK (@SofieHagen) September 25, 2019
We also use it just as another word for 'nice. 'It was hyggeligt to see you the other 'day'. That doesn't mean that we sat around wrapped in blankets in front of lit candles drinking chai tea. It just meant that hey, it was nice - or lovely - seeing you the other day.
— Sofie Hagen is ON TOUR OF THE UK (@SofieHagen) September 25, 2019
The comedian also had a few things to say about Danes' ability to cut through polite niceties and get to the point.
Talk about the school system and how we don't do uniforms, we are taught (fairly) proper sex ed, there's little taboo around sex or nudity (watch any Danish film - you'll see at least two penises) and we don't have 40 faux-polite things we need to say before we get to the point.
— Sofie Hagen is ON TOUR OF THE UK (@SofieHagen) September 25, 2019
In Denmark, we call our teachers by their first names. It's, 'Hey Tina, can I go to the bathroom?' not 'Excuse me, Mrs. Chesterfield, may I please be excused and allowed to attend to the lavatories, please?'
— Sofie Hagen is ON TOUR OF THE UK (@SofieHagen) September 25, 2019
She was also prepared to voice criticism of her home country.
To wrap it all up, Denmark is also awfully, awfully and embarrassingly behind when it comes to social politics. Feminism is still a dirty word, the most famous comedy show on TV recently made fun of #MeToo AND the host did blackface, the media is horrifically right wing.
— Sofie Hagen is ON TOUR OF THE UK (@SofieHagen) September 25, 2019
A commenter noted that, in their defence, the Observer may have been trying a pun with 'hygge' standing in for 'hug'. That did little to make the London-based Dane feel better about the offending headline.
That makes it a million times worse.
— Sofie Hagen is ON TOUR OF THE UK (@SofieHagen) September 25, 2019
What do you think? Should English-language media and publishers rein in their hygge fixation -- at least until they understand it properly? Or is it okay for a concept to take on a new form in other cultures and languages? How do you view Hagen's assessment of Danish attitudes to feminism? Do you appreciate the directness of Danes or do you miss hearing words like 'please' and 'pardon'? Let us know -- we'd love to hear your thoughts.
Comments
See Also
Hygge entered the Oxford English Dictionary a while back now, and countless numbers of Anglophone books have been written about the concept.
But while the concept remains an interest – and aspiration – for many in the English-speaking world, the word itself is more mundane than you might think when used in its original language.
London-based Danish comedian, author and activist Sofie Hagen ripped through what she called “making a wrong about ‘hygge’” in a sharply-worded Twitter thread, posted in response to a headline in the Observer which incorrectly used ‘hygge’ as a countable noun.
What the fuck is 'a hygge'? My Danish heart is a hurt. Maybe I need a chill. Can I have a comfort? Maybe stop making a wrong write about 'hygge'. pic.twitter.com/xY2jjr4STG
— Sofie Hagen is ON TOUR OF THE UK (@SofieHagen) September 25, 2019
Hagen did not hold back on incorrect pronunciations she has come across and wrote that she had even been corrected for pronouncing the word in her native tongue.
This is the worst thing I've heard since a British person said to me 'No, it's pronounced hoo-gah' and someone else said, 'Did you even know about hygge in Denmark before we started talking about it?'
— Sofie Hagen is ON TOUR OF THE UK (@SofieHagen) September 25, 2019
Fun facts about 'hygge':
— Sofie Hagen is ON TOUR OF THE UK (@SofieHagen) September 25, 2019
1. You can't pronounce it.
2. The adjective of 'hygge' is 'hyggeligt'.
3. 'Uhyggeligt', the opposite of 'hyggeligt', means 'spooky'. 'Uhygge' isn't a word.
4. Hygge is free, it doesn't require blankets or candles and you already do it in the UK every day.
She then explained that hygge does not just mean 'cosy' as it is often translated, but encompasses a wide range of expressions and situations.
Hygge is essentially going to the pub with friends, having a Sunday roast with your family, watching a movie with your partner, drinking a cup of tea. In Denmark, hygge isn't 'an event'. It's also just a phrase we say a lot.
— Sofie Hagen is ON TOUR OF THE UK (@SofieHagen) September 25, 2019
We also use it just as another word for 'nice. 'It was hyggeligt to see you the other 'day'. That doesn't mean that we sat around wrapped in blankets in front of lit candles drinking chai tea. It just meant that hey, it was nice - or lovely - seeing you the other day.
— Sofie Hagen is ON TOUR OF THE UK (@SofieHagen) September 25, 2019
The comedian also had a few things to say about Danes' ability to cut through polite niceties and get to the point.
Talk about the school system and how we don't do uniforms, we are taught (fairly) proper sex ed, there's little taboo around sex or nudity (watch any Danish film - you'll see at least two penises) and we don't have 40 faux-polite things we need to say before we get to the point.
— Sofie Hagen is ON TOUR OF THE UK (@SofieHagen) September 25, 2019
In Denmark, we call our teachers by their first names. It's, 'Hey Tina, can I go to the bathroom?' not 'Excuse me, Mrs. Chesterfield, may I please be excused and allowed to attend to the lavatories, please?'
— Sofie Hagen is ON TOUR OF THE UK (@SofieHagen) September 25, 2019
She was also prepared to voice criticism of her home country.
To wrap it all up, Denmark is also awfully, awfully and embarrassingly behind when it comes to social politics. Feminism is still a dirty word, the most famous comedy show on TV recently made fun of #MeToo AND the host did blackface, the media is horrifically right wing.
— Sofie Hagen is ON TOUR OF THE UK (@SofieHagen) September 25, 2019
A commenter noted that, in their defence, the Observer may have been trying a pun with 'hygge' standing in for 'hug'. That did little to make the London-based Dane feel better about the offending headline.
That makes it a million times worse.
— Sofie Hagen is ON TOUR OF THE UK (@SofieHagen) September 25, 2019
What do you think? Should English-language media and publishers rein in their hygge fixation -- at least until they understand it properly? Or is it okay for a concept to take on a new form in other cultures and languages? How do you view Hagen's assessment of Danish attitudes to feminism? Do you appreciate the directness of Danes or do you miss hearing words like 'please' and 'pardon'? Let us know -- we'd love to hear your thoughts.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.