Iseloomult

Iseloomult is an Estonian adverb meaning “in terms of character” or “by temperament.” It is used to describe someone’s inherent disposition, focusing on what a person is like by nature rather than on situational behavior or external circumstances.

Etymology and form: The word is built from the noun iseloom, meaning character or temperament, with the adverbial suffix -ult, producing a phrase that functions as a modifier of a clause. Its use signals that the described trait stems from temperament rather than from learned behavior or mood at a particular moment.

Usage: Iseloomult is typically placed with the predicate in sentences. Examples include “Iseloomult ta on rahulik” or “Ta on iseloomult rahulik.” It often appears in descriptive, psychological, or sociological writing when distinguishing habitual temperament from situational factors. The term conveys a sense of stability in the trait being described and is not usually used for temporary moods.

Relation to related terms: Iseloomult is closely related to iseloomulik (characteristic) and iseloomulikult (characteristically); these forms describe general traits or how something is typically exhibited. By contrast, iseloomult specifically foregrounds the dispositional origin of a trait.

See also: iseloomulik, iseloomulikult.