What is your Ikigai? 10 foreign words that celebrate life's pleasures

In English, we often rely on the single, broad term "happiness" to describe everything from winning the lottery to eating a piece of pie. Yet, around the world, different cultures have come up with precise words to capture the different flavors of joy. From the quiet peace of dawn in Scandinavia to the musical ecstasy of the Middle East, here are 10 foreign words that describe unique types of happiness.

Pronounced hoo-ga, this Danish word has captured global attention over the past decade. Hygge is a psychological state of warm, cozy contentment.

It’s the feeling of sitting around a wooden dining table illuminated by soft candlelight, sharing a cup of coffee with close friends. Hygge encourages us to forget about life’s superficial distractions and savor the present moment with warmth, safety, and human connection.

Originating from Okinawa, an island known for its high concentration of centenarians, ikigai (pronounced ee-kee-guy) translates to "a reason for being". It represents the sweet spot where your passions, talents, values, and practical skills overlap.

Unlike grand notions of success, ikigai is often quiet and deeply personal. It’s the joy that motivates you to get up in the morning, whether that reason is tending to your garden, perfecting a craft, or caring for your family. It’s happiness not as a distant goal, but as a daily practice.

It’s no surprise that the Scandinavian culture has a specific word for outdoor bliss. Gökotta (pronounced yoh-koh-tah) literally translates to "cuckoo-dawn". It describes the deliberate act of waking up early in the morning, often at the break of dawn in spring, specifically to go outside into nature.

Gökotta reminds us that peace and renewal are often waiting for us in the quietest hours of the morning, as long as we are willing to wake up early enough to catch them.

Who said happiness can’t be a little mischievous? Schadenfreude (pronounced shah-den-froy-duh) combines the German words for "damage" (Schaden) and "joy" (Freude). It describes the secret, malicious pleasure a person feels when watching someone else suffer a minor, non-tragic mishap.

Whether it’s smirking when a politician stumbles on stage or watching an arrogant rival lose a game, schadenfreude captures a raw side of human psychology that almost everyone has experienced but rarely admits to.

On the opposite side of schadenfreude is the Hebrew concept of firgun (pronounced feer-goon). This informal term, which entered modern Hebrew in the mid-20th century, describes genuine, unselfish joy felt for another person’s accomplishments or good fortune.

To practice firgun means celebrating someone else’s promotion, engagement, or success without envy or resentment. It’s an empathetic form of happiness that strengthens community ties.

While many societies view labor as a tedious chore, the Nordic countries have a different view. The Danish word arbejdsglæde (pronounced ah-beyds-gleh-theh) combines arbejde (work) and glæde (joy).

This term describes the satisfaction derived from a job well done. It stems from the feeling of enjoying your colleagues and having a healthy work-life balance. Also, knowing that your daily efforts contribute meaning to the world.

In Arab musical tradition, tarab (pronounced tah-rab) refers to a transcendent state of emotional ecstasy induced by listening to moving music.

It describes the moment when a performer’s vocals or instrumental mastery captivates the audience, filling the room with an overwhelming wave of emotion. In other words, tarab highlights music as a vehicle for profound joy.

In the Yoruba language of West Africa, Ayodele (pronounced ah-yoh-deh-leh) is both a traditional given name and a statement meaning "joy has come home".

The term conveys the happiness felt when a baby is born. This new child is more than an addition to the family; it’s an entity that carries warmth, light, and a renewed purpose.

Rooted in German Romanticism, Waldeinsamkeit (pronounced valt-ayn-zahm-kayt) joins Wald (forest) and Einsamkeit (solitude). It describes the feeling of bliss experienced when wandering alone through the woods.

It’s all about a restorative connection with the natural world. Stepping away from the buzz of city life to walk beneath a canopy of green leaves allows the mind to slow down, reset, and experience a quiet, elemental happiness.

Perhaps this is the most famous expression of happiness. The French phrase joie de vivre (pronounced zhwah duh veev-ruh) translates literally to "the joy of living".

It represents an infectious love for existence itself. Someone who has joie de vivre finds delight in a fresh baguette, a good conversation, or a casual afternoon walk. It’s a philosophy that treats living as an art form worthy of celebration.

Today's words

You may be acting "extra" without even knowing! Learn 10 new slang terms

We know it's hard to keep up with the trends all the time. On the streets and in the media, new music, dance moves, hair and clothing styles, apps, or even new flavors are constantly emerging. But also new words. Gen Z people have found original and clever ways to name all kinds of everyday things and situations. If you want to stay up to date with the latest slang, don't miss this article with 10 today's terms and expressions.

What we used to call just a "phase" has taken on a more epic tone and is now called an "era." This slang term describes a period marked by certain behaviors or characteristics that define a person's current situation.

If you are trying to see the world with different eyes and find the bright side in every situation, let's say you are in your "positive era." Do you have a friend who got tired of being told what to do and now speaks her mind without fear? Well, it's clear she has entered her "villain era." And what about that cousin who got his first job recently? Today's teens would say he's in his "independent era." And so we could go on all day. What would you say is your current era?

This term first appeared in the 2000s, but it has successfully re-emerged in recent years, especially on social media.

Have you ever seen someone desperately crying because they dropped a piece of toast? Remember that colleague who wore an overly formal suit to a casual barbecue? Well, you could say they were being "extra."

"Extra" is a slang word used to describe people, behaviors, or situations that are excessive or overdramatic. You know, anything that's just too much. Does anyone in your life come to mind?

When someone takes a bite, and you hear "mmm," it can only mean one thing: the food is delicious. But now there's a new word to express your approval when tasting a dish: "Bussin'"

If you buy some snacks for your nephew and he says, "Yeah, bussin'!" Congratulations, you've made the right choice. "Bussin'" is used to describe anything considered excellent or well done, especially when it's about food and drink.

Next time you want to recommend a restaurant, you can say their desserts are bussin'!

We've all been in love. Especially when we're young, the idea of that elusive crush is always on our minds. In other cases, it's not love but worries that occupy our minds all day long. There are also moments when we can't stop thinking about a book or series we want to return to when we get home.

There is an expression to refer to all those thoughts: they are said to be living "rent-free" in our minds. This witty expression implies that these recurrent ideas emerge without the need for any external stimulus, reason, or effort, and they will probably stay there.

When your outfit, attitude, words, or anything you do goes well and impresses others, you may hear "Slay!"

While confusing at first, this is a slang term for showing approval. When this word appears, it means someone is doing a great job or "killin' it." You've probably read it in the comments under a photo of celebrities "slaying" on a red carpet, or maybe under a video with many likes. Even famous people have adopted the word, helping it become more popular.

Next time you like what you see or hear, you know what expression to use to compliment the person in front of you.

We already have the term to show approval; now it's time for a word that expresses the opposite.

New generations have this term for when something unexpected or unacceptable happens. If someone suddenly changes their attitude toward you and starts being rude, if someone uses a weird word at work, or if that person you've been dating says something a little embarrassing or even offensive, the word you're looking for to describe how you feel is "ick." When something makes you uncomfortable or disgusts you, it's said it "gave you the ick."

Fun fact: The word was added to the dictionary in 2024.

There are people who know how to stand out wherever they go. Whether it's their style, their way of speaking, the confidence they show, or their talent to make great decisions, today's slang has an expression for these people: they are the "main characters."

Have you ever felt that powerful emotion after finally setting boundaries and deciding for yourself? You know those days when you wake up in a great mood and feel extremely confident? Well, in those moments, you are definitely the main character.

Do you recognize that anecdote, song, joke, or expression that only you and your best friend understand and share? While it sounds like a word in some foreign language, "Iykyk" stands for "if you know, you know." This written expression is used as a kind of warning or disclaimer: only a privileged few will understand the information, which is presented in code or as an inside joke.

This term appeared on social media around 2010, and since then, it has become more and more popular. Have you ever read it before?

The word "vibe" is one of the most used terms by young people in their daily conversations as well as in their online chats, and it's used to describe the mood or the energy emanating from a person or even an entire place.

It's all about emotions and sensations. You know that colleague who's always complaining or that person who has a special talent to bring everyone's mood down? Well, you can confidently say they "don't pass the vibe check."

If, on the other hand, someone immediately connects with you or makes you feel great, we would say that they have "good vibes" or they "passed the vibe check."

You're starting to see someone you really like, and it's been several months of dating and romantic messaging. You're on a date night with him or her, and you suddenly see a friend of yours at the same bar. So, the question comes: "Is he/she your boyfriend/girlfriend?" Uncomfortable!

Some connections are difficult to define. But there is a new way to express that: If it is too risky to say that you are in a relationship, you can say you're in a "situationship."

What used to be defined by Facebook's "it's complicated" status can now be described with this new slang term that's perfect for when it's not a formal relationship but also more than just a friendship.