Land right words to say happiness? They do not exist. Or rather, everyone has their own, influenced by their own life experience… and happiness. The environment, the society and the tradition in which one lives constitute, in themselves, a determining factor. And even the language and slang expressions related to happiness are very different, depending on the country where you are.
He highlighted it on the occasion of the International Day of Happinessestablished by the United Nations General Assemblywhich occurs on March 20, the team of experts of Babbel (language learning platform offering app and live lessons). Proposing a journey to discover the most curious and original words and idiomatic phrases related to happiness, at various latitudes of the planet. «Every culture has tried to photograph the essence of this feeling with terms and idioms often allegorical and evocative, sometimes difficult to translate», explains Sara Garizzo, Babbel’s Principal Content Strategist.
From Danish Hygge to Arabic Taarab: it’s happiness
Happiness, in different cultures, is associated with different elements.
Let’s start from “Mys” (Swedish) concept that can be associated with a “welcoming” or “comfortable” atmosphere such as that of convivial and friendly occasions. But it can also be the happiness of those small moments that give comfort, such as, for example, wearing a particularly soft sweater or staying warm under the covers when it’s cold outside.
“Sólarfrí” (Icelandic), literally translatable as “holiday in the sun”: it is the term used by Icelanders to indicate a day free from work commitments. It is not uncommon for shops and public offices to find a sign saying “sólarfrí”: employees are given time off to enjoy the sun, and that’s okay.
“Taarab” (in Arabic): translatable as “dancing” is related to the happiness that the listener feels when he enjoys good music and gets lost in it completely. In Tanzania and Kenya it is also a musical genre in its own right.
“Hygge” (Danish): indicates a form of intimacy that evokes well-being and contentment. It is a completely Danish concept, associated with simple but fundamental details for daily happiness. A safe environment, people you care about, a cup of hot chocolate, a few candles – all of this is “hygge”.
“Fika” (Swedish): identifies a social institution – informal, but of fundamental importance. In other words, the time you should allow yourself every day to drink a coffee and eat something together with a loved one. Literally it can be paraphrased as a “break dedicated to cake and coffee”. It is supposed to owe its current form to a process which in linguistics is defined as “metathesis”, ie an exchange between contiguous syllables, of the ancient Swedish word Kaffi, which took on its current meaning starting from the beginning of the 20th century.
Metaphors to express happiness: idiomatic expressions
In the languages of the world there are numerous idiomatic expressions that are metaphors of happiness: of immediate understanding for those who speak the local language, curious, if not funny, result for foreigners. For example?
Happiness? In the UK it’s being “Fresh as a cucumber”
As cool as a cucumber: this English idiom can be translated literally as “fresh as a cucumber.” The phrase would have been popularized in the mid-17th century following the publication of a poem by the English poet and playwright John Gay.
At the origin of this expression the nature of cucumbers: regardless of the external temperature, the internal part of this vegetable always remains fresh thanks to the quantity of water it contains; hence the phrase, often used in England, referred achi manages to remain happy and at ease despite the (perhaps negative) atmosphere that surrounds him.
In Spain the happiest is the earthworm
Ser Feliz as a lombriz: when they want to express their joy, the Spaniards say instead of “being as happy as an earthworm”. There doesn’t seem to be a specific tradition linked to this expression, but it seems to be attributable to the biology of earthworms, which can have up to ten hearts. The sentence would therefore refer to this particularity of the animal, associating the quantity of hearts with the greatness of the happiness that can be felt. Another reason behind the birth of the metaphor could simply be connected to the assonance between the words “feliz” and “lombriz”.
In Germany, however, the wren
Sich freuen wie ein Schneekönig: this German expression, literally translatable as “rejoice like a snow king”. The expression refers to the wren, a small bird that curiously does not migrate south during the winter. It is common to see him singing and jumping happily even in the coldest months. For this reason in Germany it is also called “snow king” and associated with a state of happiness and light-heartedness.
English expressions for happiness
Be like a dog with two tails: the British use this expression, literally translatable as “to be like a dog with two tails” to indicate extreme happiness and contentment. The reference, as it is easy to understand, is to the movement of the tail that these animals use to express their joy.
As happy as Larry: is another expression used to indicate a very happy person, especially someone who is always joyful even when things are not going well. The first written reference was found in a work by a New Zealand author from 1875. But who is Larry? Some say it is the Australian boxer Larry Foley, who has always remained undefeated, and others refer to the word “larrikin”, a slang term from Cornwall and then from Australia and New Zealand to describe a troublemaker.
Happiness? let’s talk about
For those wishing to deepen the lexicon linked to the expression of feelings, the teachers of Babbel Live, a platform that offers live lessons held by certified teachers, have made available an ad hoc unit: “Asking how people are” invites students discussing happiness or how it feels.
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