4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Closer match than the other more obvious but less fitting answers. Unlike Germanic languages, which perhaps are rooted in Calvinism, Protestantism, and a more 'here and now' rationality, and which contain many phrases that mean ecstasy, bliss, rapture, the more Catholic-oriented Latin languages tend to shy away from the expression of such great earthly pleasure - "happy" may be all that they are allowed to feel during their wait for heaven. Please correct or elaborate on my thoughts if you can!"