''Gezelligheid'' () is a

Dutch Dutch commonly refers to: * Something of, from, or related to the Netherlands * Dutch people () * Dutch language () Dutch may also refer to: Places * Dutch, West Virginia, a community in the United States * Pennsylvania Dutch Country People E ...

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

conviviality Conviviality, or Convivialism, is the ability of individuals to interact creatively and autonomously with others and their environment to satisfy their own needs. This interpretation is related to, but distinct from, several synonyms and cognates ...

', ' 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 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 language. A text that is considered to be untranslatable is considered a ''lacuna'', or lexical gap. The term arises when descr ...

, and one of their hardest words to translate to

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

. 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 See ...

. "Congenial" has also been used as an 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. In some cultures, the concept of ...

'. During the

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

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

journeyman A journeyman, journeywoman, or journeyperson 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 fie ...

', 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 area. The earliest types of guild formed as organizations of tradesmen belonging to a professional association. They sometimes ...

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 system, only mas ...

; 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 or

ironically Irony (), in its broadest sense, is the juxtaposition of what on the surface appears to be the case and what is actually the case or to be expected; it is an important rhetorical device and literary technique. Irony can be categorized into d ...

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

Norwegian Norwegian, Norwayan, or Norsk may refer to: *Something of, from, or related to Norway, a country in northwestern Europe * Norwegians, both a nation and an ethnic group native to Norway * Demographics of Norway *The Norwegian language, including ...

and

Danish Danish may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to the country of Denmark People * A national or citizen of Denmark, also called a "Dane," see Demographics of Denmark * Culture of Denmark * Danish people or Danes, people with a Danish a ...

word ''

hygge ''Hygge'' (, ; ; ) is a word in Danish language, Danish and Norwegian language, Norwegian that describes a mood of coziness and "comfortable conviviality" with feelings of wellness and contentment. As a cultural category with its sets of associa ...

'' () 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 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. * Norwegian also has the word:
koseleg
', meaning a 'sense of coziness' and 'human warmth in an agreeable environment'. * 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.

References

{{reflist Sociological terminology Dutch words and phrases Words and phrases with no direct English translation Dutch culture