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.

Knock on wood

You're probably guilty of some: 10 unlucky habits and symbols!

We don't want to alarm you, but there are a huge number of habits, actions, words, objects, and even calendar dates that, according to various traditions, can bring bad luck. You probably already know it's best to be extra cautious with mirrors and avoid walking under a ladder, but other "unlucky" items and actions might surprise you. In fact, chances are you're doing some of them without knowing it! If you want to avoid misfortune, check out these 10 things commonly thought to cause bad luck. Keep your fingers crossed!

Image: Austin Neill

The world of sailing is steeped in customs, beliefs, and superstitions. It's understandable; the sea can be unpredictable, so seeking ways to attract or preserve good fortune makes sense.

One long-standing superstition, which has been around for centuries, claims that changing the name of a boat brings extreme bad luck. According to this tradition, replacing the name is believed to anger the spirits that protect the boat, bringing tragedy to whoever dares to do it.

Image: Erik Mclean

While it's always nice to give and receive gifts, there are some restrictions when it comes to luck.

According to many traditions, giving knives as gifts is a bad idea: the object is said to "cut" the bond between the giver and the receiver, distancing them emotionally. However, another custom has emerged as a solution to this belief! If a friend gives you a nice cooking knife, you can simply give them a penny or some other coin in return. The small amount of money turns the gift into a "transaction," effectively warding off bad fortune.

Image: Volha Flaxeco

Many people set a specific day each week to change the sheets. Some prefer to do it on Mondays, to start the week fresh, while others prefer to leave that task for the weekend. Sadly, we have to announce bad news for those in the latter group.

Some cultures around the world consider it bad luck to flip your mattress or change your sheets on weekends, especially on Sundays. This superstition is linked to the meaning of Sunday in many religions, where it's seen as a day of rest and reflection.

Image: Stainless Images

No one can deny the mesmerizing beauty of a rainbow. Something about this phenomenon amazes us and makes us all want to look at it, admire it, and take pictures of it.

But some traditions warn us that pointing at a rainbow can cause bad luck. In fact, according to some beliefs, misfortune could particularly affect the pointing finger, causing it to rot, swell, bend, or even become paralyzed!

Image: Diana Polekhina

Bad luck doesn't always appear unexpectedly; it sometimes warns you beforehand. But how?

According to this belief, a bad omen can manifest through your body, particularly your nose. While sneezing is a common and everyday act, it is believed to be a sign of misfortune if it happens on the first day of the month or right before starting an important task or process. But don't worry! There's also a solution. Believers claim that you can protect yourself with the famous "bless you."

Image: Lidya Nada

We love birthdays! Celebrating another year with the people you love is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful moments. But even in these instants of joy, you have to watch your luck.

Superstition recommends that you should be patient and wait until after midnight to wish a loved one a happy birthday. According to this belief, wishing someone a happy birthday too early can tempt fate. Just in case, let's not take any chances!

Image: Andrew Neel

What do you do with your bag or backpack as soon as you enter a place? While most of us hang it up, some might simply place it on the floor. If you're superstitious, it's best to avoid the latter!

It's believed that leaving your backpack, purse, or wallet on the floor invites financial misfortune. Specifically, it's said that this gesture drives away money and abundance, and who would want that, right?

Image: Radek Skrzypczak

Unlike your bag, your shoes should always stay on the floor. Or, at least, tucked away in a closet or shoe cabinet. But why?

Shoes are constantly in contact with the ground and the dirt on it. For that reason, it's said that putting shoes on a clean surface—such as a table or countertop—can bring bad luck to the owner of the shoes.

Image: Francesca Tosolini

Often, when we're in a good mood, we go around the house singing, dancing, or whistling. No one can deny that it's great fun, right? However, one of these actions comes with a superstition.

According to many cultures, whistling indoors can have serious consequences. It’s said to attract evil spirits and negative energies into the house. Do you believe it? Just in case, we'll be saving the whistling for open spaces!

Image: Mike Dorner

There is a widespread belief among sailors and those who frequent the sea, though it's little known to the general public.

Many ingredients and foods are brought onto boats. However, one fruit is specifically avoided: bananas. It's considered bad luck to bring bananas on board a ship. According to some historians, this belief may have originated because bananas are among the first fruits to spoil, attracting insects and pests.