Danish ‘hygge’ canonised in Oxford Dictionary

Some concepts just seem to have been in the right place at the right time, and ‘hygge’ appears to be one of them

A little Danish word that even Danes find hard to define has become so trendy in the English-speaking world that it has been granted the ultimate accolade of being absorbed into the language.

It’s now official: the word ‘hygge’ has been adopted into the Oxford Dictionary.

READ ALSO: Taking the hygge dial all the way up to eleven

Defined as a ‘mass noun’, hygge is said to be “a quality of cosiness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being (regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture).”

Examples of its use are given as: “Why not follow the Danish example and bring more hygge into your daily life?” and “Count on candlelight – almost a requirement for that special hygge experience.”

Get the thick socks and candles out
According to the BBC News Magazine, Morley College in central London is even teaching students how to achieve hygge as part of its Danish language course.

It may come as a surprise to most of us, but apparently “hygge isn’t just a middle-class thing. Absolutely everyone’s at it, from my dustbin man to the mayor,” explained Helen Russell, the author of ‘The Year of Living Danishly: Uncovering the Secrets of the World’s Happiest Country’.

“Hygge is so crucial to living Danishly that the other day on the motorway I saw a camper van driving along with lit candles in the windows.”

More than a little over the top
At least nine books have been published on the subject. However, Charlotte Higgins writing in the Guardian sounds a cautionary note.

“Just as ‘chic’ is the thing that everyone knows about the French, the word hygge must now be affixed, almost by law, to any media story about Denmark or, indeed, anything remotely Scandinavian, whether the subject is clothes, furniture, cookery, travel or working hours,” she said.

“The headlines are mostly absurd: ‘Get Hygge With It!’ ‘Hungry For Hygge!’ ‘Ten Reasons to Hygge … It Will Make You Happier’, ‘Fitter and Slimmer! Give Your Home a Hygge!’ There is even a New Statesman article entitled ‘The Hygge of Oasis: Why I Find This Band Strangely Comforting’.”

It would appear that in the UK it is already bordering on being uhyggelige!




  • In conversation with Conrad Molden: The man behind the mic

    In conversation with Conrad Molden: The man behind the mic

    He’s tickled our funny bone with countless wisecracks and clever wordplay, and in the process, made Denmark feel a little more personable to many expats. An international import himself, funny man Conrad Molden has successfully carved out a niche for himself on the Danish stand-up scene, but it’s taken a solid 13 years, much trial and error, and heaps of Danglish

  • Volunteer Night 2025: when volunteering rimes with integrating

    Volunteer Night 2025: when volunteering rimes with integrating

    On Wednesday, April 30, from 17:00 to 20:00, Studenterhuset will host Volunteer Night 2025, a free event organized by the organization International House Copenhagen, which goal is to ease the relocation process for newcomers in Denmark

  • The international who shaped Copenhagen

    The international who shaped Copenhagen

    Anna Maria Indrio is one of the most important architects in Denmark, having contributed to shaping Copenhagen into what it is today. Among her best-known projects are the extension of SMK and Arken, as well as the Natural History Museum and the Darwin Centre in London. She moved here 60 years ago, when “Copenhagen was gray and dormant. Predictions suggested it would become depopulated. But putting people at the center changed everything,” she said

  • Danish government passes amendment to increase citizenship fee by 50%

    Danish government passes amendment to increase citizenship fee by 50%

    Fees were raised to reflect processing costs and curb repeat applications, creating debate over whether the new charges erect barriers to political participation for internationals.

  • Internationals’ labour contributes 361 billion DKK to Denmark’s GDP, and it is growing strongly every year

    Internationals’ labour contributes 361 billion DKK to Denmark’s GDP, and it is growing strongly every year

    According to a report by the Danish Chamber of Commerce, internationals’ contribution is 12% of the country’s GDP. In 2023, it was 322 billion DKK, and in 2008, it was 136 billion DKK. “Internationals make a gigantic difference in our prosperity and welfare,” comments Morten Langager, the Director of Dansk Erhverv.

  • Inside Denmark’s innovation engine

    Inside Denmark’s innovation engine

    With half of its staff being international, the BioInnovation Institute reflects Denmark’s broader transformation into a global innovation hub. But can the country—and Europe—keep up the pace? “If reforms are made now, we can close the gap in ten years,” explains BII’s CEO

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.