Untranslatable wordSocial
Swedish
Fredagsmys
Meaning: The Friday-night ritual of soft clothes, snacks and television with the people you live with.
Literally: Friday cosiness
Origin: Swedish fredag ('Friday') + mys ('cosiness'); in the press from 1994 and in the Academy's dictionary about a decade later.
More Swedish untranslatable words
- Gökotta Rising at first light for no reason but to go outside and hear the birds sing.
- Mångata The shimmering, road-like reflection the moon casts across water.
- Resfeber The mix of nervous excitement and anticipatory anxiety you feel before a journey — your h…
- Lagom Not too much, not too little — perfectly moderate, appropriate, and balanced. A cultural…
- Fika A ritual pause in the day — coffee, something sweet, good company — that is more about co…
- Orka To have the energy or will for something. Jag orkar inte carries the whole of 'I can't fa…
Explore another collection: Proverbs
Short sayings of timeless wisdom from more than 50 cultures, each with its meaning and origin.
- East or west, home is best No matter where you go, home remains the best place.
- There's no such thing as bad publicity Any attention, even negative, can be beneficial.
- Practice what you preach Live according to the principles you advocate.
Keep exploring