Kummaliselt

Kummaliselt is an Estonian adverb meaning “strangely” or “in a strange way.” It is formed from the adjective kummaline (strange, odd) with the adverbial suffix -sti, producing an adverb that typically modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. The form is common in both spoken and written Estonian.

Usage and nuance: Kummaliselt describes the manner in which an action occurs or a situation presents itself. It can convey mild surprise, peculiarity, or an eerie mood, depending on context. While widely understood, it is often used in descriptive writing, journalism, and literary prose to signal that something is not ordinary or expected.

Examples:

- Ta kummaliselt naeratas. (He smiled strangely.)

- Öö oli kummaliselt vaikne. (The night was strangely quiet.)

- Kõik tundus kummaliselt teistsugune. (Everything seemed strangely different.)

Related terms: The adjective kummaline (strange, odd) and the noun kummalisus (strangeness) are closely connected to kummaliselt and share a similar semantic field. In context, kummaliselt is typically chosen to foreground the manner of occurrence rather than to label the phenomenon itself.

Notes: As with many Estonian adverbs formed from adjectives, kummaliselt is versatile in literary and informal registers. Its intensity can be adjusted by context, and it often functions to create mood, suspense, or a sense of peculiarity within a sentence.