Gezelligheid

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Gezelligheid (noun) or gezellig (adjective) is one of the most difficult words to translate in Dutch. There is no literal equivalent or similar word in English. The German word Gemütlichkeit comes close to the Dutch word in meaning. The Danish word "hygge" comes even closer. The words "cosy" and "delightful" in English probably have the closest meaning, but gezellig means much more. Another possible way to describe "gezelligheid" would be good atmosphere. Gezellig is very colloquial, and is most often used in these contexts: one is with family and/or friends, light is right, people are right, music is right, conversation is right, then the atmosphere is "gezellig". So, a fantastic combination of cosiness, enjoyment, relaxation, well laid-back at home or chilled-out in a bar, while being in good company, is "gezellig". In the 1990s the term gezellie also became popular; this is, however, merely an alternate way of pronouncing the same word.

But at the same time it is also almost as often used in an ironic sense. Indicating that a situation is definitely not gezellig but rather corny, uncomfortable or even outright hostile. This dual meaning is what makes it so difficult to translate.

Because the word "cosy" lacks depth of the word "gezellig" or "gezelligheid", the cosy atmosphere is taught by the parents in the original language, even fourth and fifth generation Dutch immigrants to countries such as Canada and America still refer to the word "gezellig".

The most romantic definition of 'gezellig' could be one heard occasionally in Dutch community in Australia as "an atmosphere that knows no time".

In Dallas, Texas, a nightclub and delicatessen opened in September, 2006, known as "gezellig," with the stated purpose of bringing the concept of "gezellig" to the United States. [1]