It’s time to cosy up and fall in love with fall! From teolaí to cwtch, here are some of our favourite lifestyle concepts that will get us in the autumn mindset in minutes. Blankets at the ready…
I’m always a little sad when the summer ends and the cooler weather sets in, but then I remind myself what I love about autumn — the colours of the leaves, crisp walks, frosty mornings, and cosying up indoors.
The simple pleasures are often the most enjoyable: a big mug of tea, a slice of cake, and good friends to chat to. This is where the Danish concept of Hygge (pronounced “hoo-ga”) comes from — enjoying the simplicity of it all. This all-encompassing term sums up “cosy contentment”: roaring fires, knitwear, blankets, furry slippers, hot chocolate and all those other comfy, cosy delights.
Many of us have heard of hygge, but here are a few more words from around the world that will give you a decidedly cosy autumn feeling.
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Còsagach (kaw-sa-goch)
From Scots Gaelic, this is the feeling of being snug, sheltered and warm.
Cwtch (rhymes with “butch”)
A Welsh word that means snuggling and cuddling and loving and protecting and safeguarding and claiming, all rolled into one!
Fjaka (fee-yaka)
The “art and enjoyment of doing nothing” is roughly how this Croatian lifestyle term translates.
Gemütlichkeit (guh-moot-lick-kite)
This traditional German word signifies an atmosphere of relaxation, being at ease, belonging, nice music, and good food and drink.
Gezelligheid (geh-zelig-hayd)
A Dutch expression meaning cosy, quaint and nice, but it can also mean time spent with loved ones, seeing a friend after a long absence, or general togetherness.
Gigil (like giggle)
A Tagalog word meaning the overwhelming urge to snuggle someone or something.
Gluggaveður (glu-ga-vee-dur)
This Icelandic word describes “window weather” — in other words, weather that is nice to look out at from the comfort of inside.
Ikigai (icky-guy)
From Japan, this is a lifestyle concept centred on the idea of “living your best life”. It encourages simplicity and flow, and the idea that homes should hold only items with special meaning to the homeowner.
Lagom (lah-gum)
A Swedish word used to describe balance — “not too little, not too much”, “everything in moderation”, “less is more”, or appropriateness in social settings.
Mysig (mee-sig)
This describes anything with a relaxing vibe: a warm living room on a cold evening, with flickering candles, a roaring fire, and a couch to snuggle up and put your feet up on.
Peiskos (peis-kos)
A Norwegian word for “fireplace cosiness” — the feeling you get from sitting in front of the warmth of a fire.
Teolaí (cho-lee)
The Irish word for cosy. Nothing epitomises this more than the idea of the snug in the pub.
Wabi-sabi (wabbysabby)
The Japanese art of finding beauty in imperfection, and profundity in nature.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does “hygge” actually mean?
Hygge is a Danish word for a feeling of cosy contentment — think warm blankets, soft lighting, good company and simple comforts. It’s less about specific things and more about the feeling they create together.
Is there an Irish word for cosy?
Yes — teolaí is the Irish word for cosy, often associated with the warm, sheltered feeling of a snug corner in a pub or by the fire.
Why do so many cultures have their own word for cosiness?
Comfort and contentment are universal feelings, and many cultures have developed their own words to capture the small rituals — a fire, a cup of tea, time with loved ones — that make cooler months feel special.
How can I bring more of these feelings into my home this autumn?
Small changes go a long way: soft blankets, warm lighting, a favourite hot drink, and setting aside unhurried time with the people you love are at the heart of nearly every word on this list.
Enjoyed This?
You might also like 8 Cosy Living Room Tricks Guaranteed to Make You Feel Snug, Hygge: The Case For and Against, and 50 Awesome Autumn Activities for Kids for more ways to make the most of the season.
If you loved these cosy autumn words, save this article to come back to whenever you need a little inspiration to slow down and get comfortable.
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