Untranslatable Words for Joy
A small collection of beautiful words from around the world that capture different shades of joy and contentment.
| Word | Origin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Joie de vivre | French | Keen or buoyant enjoyment of life. |
| Waldeinsamkeit | German | The feeling of solitude and peacefulness when alone in a forest. |
| Ayodele | Yoruba | Joy in the home. |
| Tarab | Arabic | Musically induced ecstasy. |
| Arbejdsglæde | Danish | Satisfaction and enjoyment derived from a good job or work. |
| Firgun | Hebrew | Happiness in another’s success; unselfish joy on behalf of someone else. |
| Schadenfreude | German | Enjoyment obtained from the troubles of others. |
| Gökotta | Swedish | Rising early in order to go listen to birds singing outside. |
| Ikigai | Japanese | The things that give zest and joy to life. |
| Hygge | Danish | A cozy quality that makes a person feel content and comfortable. |
