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What is happiness in different countries of the world

What is happiness, the most coveted state of mind, of which tomorrow (March 20) we celebrate International day? If we asked ten people, we’d probably get ten different answers: according to some it means being able to spend time with those you love, for others going on vacation, for others still achieving a new professional goal. The differences in understanding the concept of happiness become even more significant in different parts of the world. We have analyzed some of them, with the experts of Babbellanguage learning platform.

Sweden, mys: it is a concept that can be associated with a “welcoming” or “comfortable” atmosphere, with the sense of well-being and joy deriving from convivial and friendly occasions. Mys is also the happiness of those small moments that give comfort, such as, for example, wearing a particularly soft sweater or staying warm under the covers when it’s cold outside. And in fact this word is typically associated with the harshness of the Nordic winter and with all those activities that make it possible to brighten up the darkest days, in the literal sense and beyond.

Iceland, Sólarfri: happiness is a sunny day. In fact, on this island with a particularly harsh climate, the rare moments of sunshine must be fully enjoyed: “sólarfrí”, which can be literally translated as “holiday in the sun”, is the term used by Icelanders to indicate a day free from work commitments , where you can take a break to fully enjoy the good weather. On these occasions, a sign with the words “sólarfrí” should be placed in front of shops and public offices.

Arab countries, Taarab. It is an Arabic term that translates as “to dance”, and is related to the happiness one feels when one enjoys good music and immerses oneself completely in it. This word is also used in some African states, such as Tanzania and Kenya, to indicate a musical genre in its own right, or a real union between the person and the positive emotions generated by music.

Sweden, Fika. It is the time that every day we should allow ourselves to drink a coffee and eat something together with a loved one. Literally it can be paraphrased as a “break dedicated to cake and coffee”, but what you eat is not essential, the important thing is socializing.

And here are some of the idiomatic expressions which, in different countries of the world, indicate happiness.

As cool as a cucumber. This English idiom can be literally translated as “fresh as a cucumber”. The phrase would have been popularized in the mid-17th century following the publication of a poem by the English poet and playwright John Gay. At the origin of this expression the nature of cucumbers: regardless of the external temperature, the internal part of this vegetable always remains fresh thanks to the quantity of water it contains; hence the phrase, often used in England, referring to those who manage to remain happy and at ease despite the (perhaps negative) atmosphere that surrounds them.

**Ser Feliz as a lombriz. **In Spanish it means «to be happy as an earthworm». It seems that this expression refers to the biology of earthworms, which can have up to ten hearts. Or, simply, to the assonance between the words «feliz» and «lombriz».

Sich freuen wie ein Schneekönig. This German expression translates to “rejoice like a snow king,” and refers to the wren, which doesn’t migrate south during the winter, but sings happily even in the colder months. For this reason in Germany it is also called “snow king” and associated with happiness.

Be like a dog with two tails. The British use this expression, literally «to be like a dog with two tails», referring to the movement of the tail that these animals use to express their joy.

As happy as Larry. The first written reference to this expression was found in a work by a New Zealand author from 1875 and is literally translated as “happy as Larry”. But who is Larry? There are two most accredited theories for the use of this name: the first refers to the Australian boxer Larry Foley, who has always remained undefeated, while the second indicates the origin of the word “larrikin”, a slang term from Cornwall and then from Australia and of New Zealand to describe a troublemaker.

More stories from Vanity Fair that may interest you:

In Denmark, where happiness is a right

Còsagach, a lesson in happiness from Scotland

Source: Vanity Fair

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