Nordic Words Worth Knowing: Language as a Mirror of Culture

The languages of the Nordic countries—Danish, Finnish, Icelandic, Norwegian, and Swedish—are more than just means of communication; they are repositories of cultural identity, shaped by geography, history, and shared values. While some words have relatively recently made their way into English discourse—like hygge or lagom—many others remain relatively unknown yet offer valuable insights into the Nordic mindset. These words often resist direct translation, capturing complex emotional states, social principles, or environmental awareness in a single term.

Perhaps the most internationally recognised Nordic word is “hygge”, from Danish and Norwegian. Frequently oversimplified as "cosiness," hygge encompasses much more: a sense of warmth, safety, and communal well-being, especially during the long, dark winters. It refers to physical surroundings—candles, soft lighting, comfort food—but also to emotional security and social intimacy. As Wiking (2016) argues, hygge is not just a word, but a guiding philosophy that prioritises contentment over consumerism.

Another widely discussed term is the Swedish “lagom”, roughly meaning "just the right amount." It denotes balance, moderation, and an aversion to excess. Rooted in Sweden’s collectivist social values, lagom has influenced everything from national politics to interior design (Lundberg, 2017). Unlike minimalism, which can feel austere, lagom promotes sustainability, fairness, and satisfaction with what one already has. It is a reflection of a society that values equality and self-restraint.

The Finnish word “sisu” offers a stark contrast. While hygge and lagom focus on comfort and moderation, sisu captures a uniquely Finnish form of perseverance. It refers to a quiet, often stoic kind of courage—an inner strength that persists in the face of hardship. Sisu is not about bravado or bold declarations, but about enduring beyond one's apparent limits. Lahti (2019) describes it as a kind of spiritual stamina, deeply tied to Finland’s national narrative of survival against adversity, both environmental and historical.

From Iceland comes “gluggaveður”, a term that literally translates as “window weather.” It describes weather that looks beautiful—sunny, clear, perhaps snow-covered—when viewed from indoors, but is actually unpleasant or harsh when experienced firsthand. More than a meteorological term, it reflects a poetic sensitivity to the natural world and the emotional impact of climate. Icelanders, living in one of Europe’s most geologically and meteorologically dramatic environments, have developed a language filled with such evocative terms (Jóhannsdóttir, 2021).

Norwegian contributes another intriguing concept: “dugnad.” This word refers to unpaid, voluntary work done as a community effort—such as painting a school, cleaning a neighbourhood, or helping a neighbour with a project. More than simple volunteering, dugnad is rooted in a strong cultural norm of collective responsibility and mutual assistance (Ødegård, 2018). It plays a key role in Norwegian civic life and is often seen as a marker of social cohesion.

These words are more than vocabulary; they are cultural signposts. They illustrate how language can encode shared values—comfort, balance, resilience, community, and respect for nature—within everyday expressions. In English, expressing these ideas often requires full paragraphs or explanation. In the Nordic languages, they are captured with startling efficiency.

Moreover, these terms challenge the idea that untranslatable words are obstacles to understanding. Instead, they offer opportunities for cultural learning. As English speakers increasingly adopt words like hygge or lagom, they also begin to adopt the worldviews that those words represent. This linguistic borrowing reflects a growing appreciation for cultural diversity and the emotional depth carried by language.

In an increasingly globalised world, where language is often reduced to speed and utility, the richness of Nordic vocabulary reminds us that words can still carry nuance, identity, and worldview. Whether it is sisu on a hard day, hygge in a quiet evening, or gluggaveður during a winter storm, these words offer more than description—they offer perspective.

If you’re interested in exploring more about Swedish words and their connections to culture, why not join YASS for an evening with award winning author Stephen Keeler, who will talk about extracts from his book 50 words for love in Swedish on 11th September at the Norwegian Study Centre, University of York starting at 1900.

Keeler’s book uses fifty Swedish words—from osthyvel (cheese slice) to lagom (discussed above - moderately “just right”)—each tied to a memory, experience, or emotion from his life in Sweden. These words act as entry points into stories of place, people, food, language, and intimacy.  More than just dictionary definitions, these words become “words for love”—they represent his affection for Swedish culture, the people he met, and the life he built there.

References

• Jóhannsdóttir, Á. (2021). Icelandic Weather Words and Cultural Perception. Reykjavík Linguistics Press.

• Lahti, K. (2019). Sisu: The Finnish Art of Courage. Helsinki Academic Press.

• Lundberg, L. (2017). Lagom: The Swedish Art of Balanced Living. Stockholm Studies in Sociology.

• Ødegård, G. (2018). Dugnad and Democracy: Voluntary Work in Norway. Journal of Nordic Studies, 12(1), 55–71.

• Wiking, M. (2016). The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well. Penguin Life.