HYGGELIG (adjective) hew-guh-li

Often translated as “cozy,” hyggelig means much more to Danes. The word signifies the height of social interaction and quality of life. At a hyggelig gathering, everybody enjoys the party, the conversation flows seamlessly, and the food and drinks are simple but sublime. For a hyggelig afternoon, throw a backyard barbecue with friends, sausages, and lots of cold beer.

Illustration by Ward Schumaker. This appeared in the July/August 2011 issue.