''Gezelligheid'' () is a

Dutch Dutch or Nederlands commonly refers to: * Something of, from, or related to the Netherlands ** Dutch people as an ethnic group () ** Dutch nationality law, history and regulations of Dutch citizenship () ** Dutch language () * In specific terms, i ...

word which, depending on context, can be translated as '

conviviality The English word "conviviality" means "the enjoyment of festive society, festivity", or, as applied to people, "convivial spirit or disposition". Etymology French root () One root of conviviality originated in 19th‐century France. is very ...

', ' coziness', '

fun Fun is defined by the ''Oxford English Dictionary'' as "light-hearted pleasure, enjoyment, or amusement; boisterous joviality or merrymaking; entertainment". Etymology and usage The word ''fun'' is associated with sports, entertaining medi ...

'. It is often used to describe a social funny and relaxed situation. It can also indicate belonging, time spent with loved ones, catching up with an old friend or just the general togetherness that gives people a warm feeling. A common trait to all descriptions of ''gezelligheid'' is a general and abstract sensation of individual well-being that one typically shares with others. All descriptions involve a positive atmosphere, ''flow'' or vibe that colours the individual personal experience in a favorable way and in one way or another corresponds to social contexts. Being a vague, abstract notion, the word is considered by some to be an example of

untranslatability Untranslatability is the property of text or speech for which no equivalent can be found when translated into another (given) language. A text that is considered to be untranslatable is considered a ''lacuna'', or lexical gap. The term arises w ...

, and one of their hardest words to translate to

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Culture, language and peoples * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England * ''English'', an Amish ter ...

. Some consider the word to encompass the heart of

Dutch culture Dutch culture may refer to: * used more narrowly, the Culture of the Netherlands * used more widely, the culture of Dutch-speaking Europe, including: **Dutch architecture **Dutch literature ** Dutch music ** Dutch festivities **Dutch folklore Se ...

. "Congenial" has also been used as a form of gezelligheid in English translations.

Etymology

The word derives from ''gezel'' which means 'companion' or '

friend Friendship is a relationship of mutual affection between people. It is a stronger form of interpersonal bond than an "acquaintance" or an "association", such as a classmate, neighbor, coworker, or colleague. Although there are many forms of f ...

'. During the

Middle Ages In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the 5th to the late 15th centuries, similarly to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire and ...

a ''gezel'' was also the Dutch term for a '

journeyman A journeyman is a worker, skilled in a given building trade or craft, who has successfully completed an official apprenticeship qualification. Journeymen are considered competent and authorized to work in that field as a fully qualified employee ...

', which in the Dutch

guild A guild ( ) is an association of artisans and merchants who oversee the practice of their craft/trade in a particular territory. The earliest types of guild formed as organizations of tradespeople belonging to a professional association. They so ...

system formed a group around a single

master craftsman Historically, a master craftsman or master tradesman (sometimes called only master or grandmaster) was a member of a guild. The title survives as the highest professional qualification in craft industries. In the European guild#organization, gui ...

; hence the added meaning of 'belonging'.

Use

''Gezellig'' in English language could be used in places or with a party of people (one or more) that are 'easy to relax into' and 'heartening'. The adjective ''gezellig'' can be used in a wide variety of situations:All examples given come from the book ''The Undutchables'', by C. White. * A room, restaurant, or café can be ''gezellig'' (meaning 'cozy' or 'inviting'). * A person can be ''gezellig'' (meaning 'inviting' or 'pleasant' or 'funny', 'convivial' or 'sociable'). * A party can be ''gezellig'' (meaning 'relaxed atmosphere with nice people and cozy surroundings'). * A visit to one's grandparents can be ''gezellig'' (meaning 'togetherness'). ''Gezellig'' can also be used as an exclamation, which can either carry the meanings described above or be used

sarcastically Sarcasm is the caustic use of words, often in a humorous way, to mock someone or something. Sarcasm may employ ambivalence, although it is not necessarily ironic. Most noticeable in spoken word, sarcasm is mainly distinguished by the inflection ...

ironically Irony, in its broadest sense, is the juxtaposition of what, on the surface, appears to be the case with what is actually or expected to be the case. Originally a rhetorical device and literary technique, in modern times irony has also come t ...

or to express enthusiasm for an upcoming event such as one of the above. The antonym to ''gezellig'' is ''ongezellig'', which is used to describe places and situations that are uninviting, lacking in warmth or atmosphere, a person who is cold, distant, unsociable, unwilling to engage in a social situation.

Similar words

* The Danish word ''

hygge ''Hygge'' (, ; ; ) is a word in Danish and Norwegian that describes a cozy, contented mood evoked by comfort and conviviality. As a cultural category with its sets of associated practices, ''hygge'' has more or less the same meaning in both ...

'' () (adjective form '' hyggelig'') is very close in meaning. Etymologically, it is related to the Dutch word ''heugen'', meaning 'to remember', and ''verheugen'', meaning 'to look forward to'. The same word also exists in Norwegian, but it simply means pleasant. The Norwegian word
koseleg
' meaning a 'sense of coziness' and 'human warmth in an agreeable environment' is used as a better alternative for the Danish hygge. * The German term ''

Gemütlichkeit ''Gemütlichkeit'' () is a German-language word used to convey the idea of a state or feeling of warmth, friendliness, and good cheer. Other qualities encompassed by the term include cosiness, peace of mind, and a sense of belonging and well ...

'' (of which ''gemoedelijkheid'' is its Dutch cognate), invoking coziness and comfort and which has also been adopted by the English language, covers some of the possible meanings of ''gezellig'', but not all. Although the German term ''Geselligkeit'' does look a lot like the Dutch word, it has a different meaning. * Swedish uses a term whose concept is very close: '' mysig'', a pleasant and warm atmosphere of togetherness in a pleasant setting. * The Cape Verdean creole word ''morabeza'' is used to describe the hospitality of the Cape Verdean people, characterized by a casual, relaxed and friendly behavior. * The Portuguese word '' aconchego'', most often translated as snuggle, cuddle, or comfort, can have a similar meaning to Gezelligheid as it may refer to furniture, ambiances, types of food, social situations and the weather and it evokes ideas of coziness, rustic comfort, warmth, closeness, intimacy, togetherness and hospitality.

References

{{reflist Sociological terminology Dutch words and phrases Words and phrases with no direct English translation Culture of the Netherlands

Etymology

Use

Similar words

See also

References