firgun
Language: Hebrew · [fiʁˈɡun] · Pronunciation: feer-GOON
More Hebrew words · More words for a feeling
Meaning
open-hearted, ungrudging delight in another person's success
The story
Firgun came into Hebrew through the Yiddish farginen: to grant someone their success, free of envy. Israel liked the idea enough to give it a holiday, International Firgun Day, on 17 July. English borrowed kvelling from the same Yiddish well, though you mostly kvell over your own family; firgun is kvelling for strangers.
The four rounds
- Which language is it from?
- Hebrew
- What is its opposite?
- Schadenfreude (joy in a flop)
- Where would you hear it?
- A mate toasting your promotion
- What does it mean?
- Unselfish joy in another's success
How it went
Harder than most words so far.
2026-09-27 · Next word › · ‹ Previous word · All words