Arvatavalt

Arvatavalt is an Estonian adverb that translates to "presumably," "likely," or "supposedly" in English. It is used to indicate a degree of uncertainty or a belief based on probability rather than definite knowledge. The word is derived from the verb "arvama," meaning "to think," "to believe," or "to guess."

This adverb is commonly employed in everyday conversation and written Estonian to express an assumption or a probable outcome. For instance, one might say "Ta tuleb arvatavalt hiljem" (He will presumably come later), implying that the speaker believes this is likely but does not have absolute confirmation. Similarly, "Arvatavalt oli ilm hea" (Supposedly the weather was good) suggests the speaker is relaying information they have heard or inferred, rather than having direct experience.

The usage of "arvatavalt" allows for a nuanced expression of opinion or expectation, acknowledging that the situation may turn out differently. It functions similarly to English adverbs like "probably," "likely," "presumably," "seemingly," and "supposedly," providing a way to convey a less than certain assertion. Its presence in a sentence softens the statement, indicating that it is a deduction or a likely scenario.