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Imagine this scene: it's blowing a gale outside, you're snuggled up on the sofa under a warm duvet, chatting and reminiscing with your closest friends.
That content, snug feeling has a name in Danish – 'hygge'. And, as Denmark recently won the title of 'happiest country in the world', the rest of the world is becoming more and more interested in finding ways to embrace this concept.
'Hygge' - originally from a Norwegian word meaning 'wellbeing' - doesn't have an exact equivalent in English. It's often translated as cosiness, or as blogger Anna West told the BBC, ''cosiness of the soul." But, as translator ToveMaren Stakkestad explains: "Hygge was never meant to be translated. It was meant to be felt."
Essentially, Hygge involves creating a warm, cosy atmosphere and enjoying it with your loved ones. Danish winters are long and dark and so achieving 'hygge' is particularly relevant during this season. A typical 'hygge' activity during winter could be, enjoying delicious homemade food and light-hearted conversation with friends – preferably in the warm glow of candlelight; or maybe sipping a glass of mulled wine in the hot tub after a day spent skiing.
However, Hygge isn't only confined to the bleak winter months – it can also describe that warm, fuzzy feeling you get after a walk through a forest with friends on summer's day or a family barbecue in the park.
The concept of 'hygge' is currently taking the world by storm with more and more people becoming obsessed with achieving a state of wellbeing. Articles, books and stocking fillers, full of tips on how to achieve hygge, are hitting the market. Although, some believe this has become a marketing and advertising ploy, the benefits of staying happy cannot be underestimated. So, as the winter nights draw in, instead of hibernating, get into your favourite onesie, bake some cookies and curl up by a roaring fire with a good book. And if you can do this with friends and family, even better - hygge is meant to be shared.
词汇表
blowing a gale 狂风正起，刮着大风
snuggle up 舒适地蜷缩；偎依
duvet （羽绒）被褥
snug 温暖舒适的
wellbeing 安宁健康，幸福
homemade food 在家里自制的食物
warm glow of candlelight 温暖的烛光
mulled wine （圣诞期间常见的）热葡萄酒
bleak 寒冷刺骨的
fuzzy feeling 飘飘然的、惬意的感觉
stocking filler （适合放在圣诞袜里的）圣诞小礼品
draw in （天黑得）渐早
hibernate （动物）冬眠（这里是幽默的说法）
onesie 居家连体服
curl up 蜷缩，窝着
roaring fire 烧得正旺的火，熊熊火焰