Lagom
Lagom is the right amount — enough and no more — used of quantity, temperature, effort or behaviour, and it can be an insult.
Full definition of Lagom →:: COMPARE ::
LagomvsHygge
The short answer
Not synonyms — not even the same category. Hygge names a felt atmosphere and is always positive. Lagom names a quantity judgement about anything, and can be neutral or an insult. UK publishers marketed lagom as 'the new hygge' in 2017; that was a marketing analogy, not a semantic one.
Side by side
| Aspect | Lagom | Hygge |
|---|---|---|
| Names | A quantity | An atmosphere |
| Can be negative | Yes | No |
| Applies to | Anything | Situations |
| Language | Swedish | Danish |
What each one means
Hygge
Hygge is a Danish and Norwegian word for a mood of cosy, contented togetherness — the everyday warmth, comfort and easy conviviality of feeling safe, unhurried and at home with the people you're with.
Full definition of Hygge →