Mysa, Trivas and Being Comfortable
The comfort vocabulary a Swedish winter requires.
The cosiness lexicon, gathered: mys and trivas, fika and levande ljus — the words that explain how Sweden survives November.
- 1
mysa
To snuggle, be cosy
Tip: A verb, not just a mood. Vi ska bara mysa = we're just going to be cosy
- 2
mys
Cosiness
Tip: A whole evening can be described as mys
- 3
mysig
Cosy (adjective)
Tip: Applies to cafés, jumpers, people and evenings
- 4
fredagsmys
Friday night in with snacks
Tip: A national institution — crisps, sofa, TV
- 5
trivas
To feel at home somewhere
Tip: Jag trivs på jobbet = I'm happy at work. No neat English verb
- 6
pyssla
To potter about
Tip: Small pleasant tasks; also children's crafting
- 7
pyssel
Crafting, pottering
Tip: The noun — julpyssel is Christmas crafting
- 8
skön
Comfortable, pleasant
Tip: Of chairs, showers, weather, people
- 9
skönt
Lovely (of a feeling)
Tip: Vad skönt! = oh good, what a relief
- 10
lugn
Calm
Tip: Also 'don't worry' — Lugn, det fixar sig
- 11
ta det lugnt
Take it easy
Tip: Both advice and a goodbye
- 12
koppla av
To unwind
Tip: Literally to disconnect
- 13
levande ljus
Candles (the lit kind)
Tip: Literally 'living light' — central to Swedish cosiness
- 14
fika
A coffee-and-cake break
Tip: Both noun and verb; refusing one is a small social event
- 15
hemtrevlig
Homely, welcoming
Tip: Of a flat or a café
- 16
nöjd
Content, satisfied
Tip: Jag är nöjd = I'm happy with it
- 17
lugn och ro
Peace and quiet
Tip: A fixed pair, always in that order
- 18
varmt och skönt
Snug and warm
Tip: What you say coming in from the cold
- 19
ha det trevligt
To enjoy yourself
Tip: Also the standard 'have a nice time'
- 20
en andningspaus
A moment's breather
Tip: Literally a breathing pause