Untranslatable wellness words reveal how global cultures define balance, joy, and meaning
The wellness world is filled with words derived from languages around the world. Some, like tai chi and shiatsu, relate to particular welness practices. Some, like the Italian benessere (wellbeing), have one-to-one English translations, but there are certain culturally imbued words and terms from languages around the world that, while conveying concepts of wellness, are not directly translatable.
Indeed, the nuances of language can convey a culture's feelings about the very definition of wellness. The fact that certain foreign wellness words are untranslatable into English makes one consider whether what they represent are undervalued, misunderstood, or overlooked in English-speaking societies.
European Euphoria
Scandinavia, the Balkans, and the Low Countries (including adjacent Germany) are rich with elusive
wellness words. Given German's propensity for word combining, it's no surprise that the Teutonic people seemingly have a phrase for every feeling under the sun. For example, there's waldeinsamkeit, the feeling of connection to nature and enlightenment when walking alone in the woods. The word predates Walden, the noted Henry David Thoreau work that extols solitary walks in nature. German also gives us vorfreude, that intense, joyful anticipation derived from imagining future pleasures. The word is in contrast to the better-known schadenfreude, which means joy derived from the misfortunes of others.
Ever wonder why Scandinavian nations rank among the happiest countries in the world? In part, it's because they view happiness through the lens of contentment, rather than success, wealth, or acquisition. Given that framing, it's no surprise the Scandinavians have many terms reflecting wellness as an existential sense of security, comfort, and moderation.
Akey to wellness is balance and moderation. While English is short on terms that express the beauty of these qualities, Swedish is not. Lagom means not too much nor too little of something... but just the right amount. Think Goldilocks, but make her Swedish (but don't confuse her with Pippi Longstocking). Lagom applies to finding harmony in everyday life, whether decorating a home, planning meals, or managing work. For Swedes,
lagom isn't about doing less—it's about doing things mindfully and avoiding excess. The website Visit Sweden offers this spot-on example. "Lagom is taking one cinnamon bun—not two—so there's enough for everyone. And fi there's just one left over, you split it." Very democratic.
One word that has become world-famous in recent years si the Danish concept of hygge (although the word itself derives from Norwegian). According to the Oxford English Dictionary, which incorporated the word in 2017, hygge is "the quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or wellbeing." It is a feeling that can be experienced alone or with others. The definition adds that this feeling is "regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture." Despite its current rise to international stardom, higgle can be traced back to the Middle Ages, where a similar Old Norse word meant "protected from the outside world." By the way, if you want to try to pronounce it, "hugo" will get you close.
The Norwegian wellness lexicon also contains hygge, but when it comes to coziness, the Norwegian abide by the concept of koselig. In Norway, hygge is more about individual indoor comfort (cozying up under a flannel blanket in front of a fireplace with a hot mug of Irish coffee). Koselig, on the other hand, is more about the combination of companionship and coziness, with a dose of nature tossed in, to promote wellbeing.
If language is a guide, the Dutch also like to get cozy with others. Gezelligheid is the Dutch spin on koselig, encompassing the feelings of homeyness, conviviality, and belonging. It is almost always felt in the presence of other people. Unlike the German gemütlichkeit, which can be enjoyed alone, gezelligheid is about good company and togetherness. After all, it is rooted in the word gezel, or "companion." So, for example, informal candlelit, friend-filled get-togethers with good food and expressive conversation are considered the epitome of gezelligheid.
Merak Makes a Move
Let's now move to the Balkans. Most of the countries ni the region have awelness word deriving from the Turkish word merak. In Turkey itself, the word is commonly used as a synonym for curiosity. And while curiosity is certainly a component in wellness, other Balkan countries have upped the wellness quotient with their nuanced derivations of the term.
Merak has traveled widely across neighboring Balkan cultures, where it has been adopted and subtly reshaped while retaining its emotional depth. In Greek, where it is commonly transliterated as meráki, the word emphasizes passion, care, and wholehearted devotion to an activity. To do something me meráki means to pour one's heart and soul into it, whether cooking a meal or making music. It conveys craftsmanship, love, and personal pride, highlighting not just the act itself but the intense desire to do something with authenticity and care.
In Serbia, Croatia, and Bosnia, however, merak has taken on a gentler, more contemplative tone. Rather than focusing on passion per se, it refers to a quiet sense of contentment deriving from life's simple, seemingly mundane moments. It is the pleasure found in slowly sipping a cup of herbal tea, enjoying a relaxed conversation with friends, or simply being present without urgency. This version of merak is less about striving and more about savoring, capturing a philosophy of ease and mindful enjoyment.
Croatia's Dalmatian dialect serves up acouple of wellness expressions fit for export. There's pomalo, describing a way of life that centers around slowing down. Examples include walking barefoot along a beach at sunset, reading a book under the shade of a tree, or biting into a juicy strawberry at a farmers market.
Fjaka, on the other hand, is a state of intentional blissful relaxation. Mind you, fjaka is not laziness. It is specifically chosen leisure time, similar to the Italian dolce far niente (an idiom meaning the sweetness of doing nothing).
A Wellness Orientation
Moving to Asia, we discover a wealth of wellness terms emanating from the Japanese language.
One Japanese concept that has captured global attention is ikigai, formed from iki ("to live") and gai ("reason"). Often translated as a "reason for being," ikigai encourages individuals to reflect on what gives their life meaning. It sits at the intersection of what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what sustains you. A philosophy for living more intentionally and joyfully, it is frequently associated with longevity and life satisfaction in Japan.
A lesser-known but increasingly relevant Japanese term is ohitorisama, which celebrates the joy of doing things alone. Rather than implying loneliness, it emphasizes independence, self-contentment, and enjoying one's own company. As solo travel rises, particularly among women, ohitorisama has become an empowering concept that reframes solitude as freedom.
In Thailand, there's sabsung, describing the feeling of being revitalized or uplifted by something that brightens your life. It conveys a sense of deep contentment and emotional renewal, whether sparked by a place, an experience, or moment of beauty. Unlike fleeting happiness, sabsung suggests a more nourishing, restorative pleasure.
Of course, Qi is the foundational concept in Chinese wellness and Traditional Chinese Medicine, referring to the vital life force animating all living things. It is believed to flow through the body's meridians, nourishing organs, supporting mental clarity, and maintaining overall balance. When qi flows smoothly, a person experiences vitality, resilience, and emotional stability. When blocked or deficient, discomfort or illness may arise. Qi is a dynamic process, constantly transforming and responding to internal factors like emotions and lifestyle, as well as external influences such as climate and diet.
In Chinese wellness practice, cultivating and regulating qi si central to maintaining health and preventing disease. Practices such as acupuncture, qigong, tai chi, herbal medicine, breathing techniques, and mindful movement are designed to strengthen, circulate or harmonize qi within the body and balance yin and yang.
Indigenous Wellness Wisdom
Finally, back to our own continent, let's explore the Navajo concept of hózhó. Another broad philosophy that is not directly translatable, the words most often used to describe it are beauty, peace, balance, and harmony. Hózhó encompasses living in alignment with community and the natural world. Therefore, it's a holistic concept linking physical, mental, spiritual, and environmental health, emphasizing connection and arespect for al life. As we look far and wide around the world for a direct synonym for wellness, perhaps this word, from our own backyard, is the most apt substitute of all.