From 216 words expressing well-being, happiness, and pleasure that were collected by Tim Lomas, a lecturer at the University of East London. Lomas’s paper “Towards a Positive Cross-cultural Lexicography” was published in January in The Journal of Positive Psychology.

Cafuné (Portuguese): to tenderly run one’s fingers through a loved one’s hair.

Gigil (Tagalog): the irresistible urge to pinch someone because they are loved.

Queesting (Dutch): to allow a lover access to one’s bed for chitchat.

Mbuki-mvuki (Bantu): to shed clothes and dance uninhibited.

Tyvsmake (Norwegian): to taste small pieces of food when nobody is watching.

Sobremesa (Spanish): when the food has finished but the conversation is still flowing.

Sólarfrí (Icelandic): when workers are granted unexpected time off to enjoy a sunny day.

Peiskos (Norwegian): to sit in front of a crackling fireplace and enjoy the warmth.

Gökotta (Swedish): to wake up early to hear the first birds sing.

Kukelure (Norwegian): to just sit and think about things while doing nothing at all.