Ikigai (生き甲斐)
Japanese
"A reason for being"
Key Elements:
- Passion - What you love
- Mission - What world needs
- Profession - What you're paid for
- Vocation - What you're good at
Raison d'être
French
"Reason for being"
Telos (τέλος)
Ancient Greek
"Ultimate end" / "Purpose"
Tjukurrpa
Indigenous Australian (Anangu)
"The Dreaming" / "Dreamtime" / "Ancestral time"
Key Elements:
- Connection to land
- Spiritual meaning
- Ancestral wisdom
- Community role
Dharma (धर्म)
Sanskrit/Hindu
"Natural law" / "Duty"
Ubuntu
African (Multiple cultures)
"I am because we are"
Key Elements:
- Community connection
- Collective wellbeing
- Interdependence
- Mutual growth
Dao (道)
Chinese
"The Way"
Hygge
Danish
"Cozy contentment"
Key Elements:
- Comfort and coziness
- Well-being through simplicity
- Living in the moment
- Creating warm atmosphere
Meraki (μεράκι)
Greek
"To do something with soul"
Key Elements:
- Pouring yourself into work
- Creative essence
- Love and soul in action
- Absolute devotion
Wabi-Sabi (侘寂)
Japanese
"Finding beauty in imperfection"
Key Elements:
- Embracing imperfection
- Transient nature of life
- Natural authenticity
- Simple beauty
Sisu
Finnish
"Extraordinary determination"
Key Elements:
- Inner strength
- Perseverance through adversity
- Resilience
- Determination beyond normal limits
Jugaad (जुगाड़)
Hindi
"Innovative fix"
Key Elements:
- Creative problem-solving
- Resource optimization
- Innovative thinking
- Frugal innovation
Uitwaaien
Dutch
"To walk in the wind"
Key Elements:
- Mental clarity through nature
- Stress relief
- Connection with elements
- Active meditation
Ichi-go Ichi-e (一期一会)
Japanese
"One time, one meeting" / "Treasure every moment"
Key Elements:
- Cherishing the unrepeatable moment
- Mindful presence
- Appreciating life's transience
- Gratitude for unique encounters
Wa (和)
Japanese
"Harmony" / "Peace" / "Balance"
Key Elements:
- Group harmony over individual needs
- Peaceful cooperation
- Social cohesion
- Conflict avoidance
Lagom
Swedish
"Just the right amount" / "Perfect balance"
Key Elements:
- Balanced moderation
- Sustainable contentment
- Avoiding excess
- Sufficiency without waste
Nunchi (눈치)
Korean
"Eye measure" / "Social awareness"
Key Elements:
- Reading the room
- Social intelligence
- Emotional awareness
- Harmonious relationships
Yǒng (勇)
Chinese
"Courage" / "Bravery with purpose"
Key Elements:
- Moral courage
- Righteous action
- Virtuous bravery
- Purposeful determination