Yes folks, it's that time of year again - at least for those of us who live in northern climes.
With Christmas and New Year celebrations a fading memory, the sudden realisation that yes, it's still dark and cold outside and yes, there are still at least 3 months left until we can expect to see anything of an improvement, hits hard in January.
So it comes as little surprise that the term 'hygge' is currently one of the top searched for words on Forvo. It's a Danish term defined as “a quality of cosiness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being.” So although the word is said to have no direct translation in English, “cosy” or “cosiness" perhaps come closest.
Hygge also featured highly on Forvo's list of most searched for pronunciations of 2016. With so much global turmoil in 2016, the idea of holing up in a cosy house in your slippers with a warm drink no doubt seemed like an appealing one to our users.
And while we slowly slip in to 2017, it's maybe comforting to know that it's comfort, not political turmoil or terrorism that occupies our minds.
Much has been written about hygge in the past 12 months, but it's definitely worth checking out these two articles from The New Yorker and The Guardian for more information.
And for the pronunciation of hygge from real native Danish speakers? You can listen to it on Forvo here
Photo: daveynin Cozy place in the cabin via photopin (license)