Tagasihoidlikult

Tagasihoidlikult is an Estonian adverb meaning “modestly,” “bashfully,” or “in a reserved manner.” It describes the way an action is performed or the manner of a person’s conduct, conveying restraint, politeness, or modesty. It is derived from the adjective tagasihoidlik, meaning shy, reserved, or modest.

Etymology and form: tagasihoidlik combines tagas- (back, away) with hoidlik (careful, prudent). The adverbial form tagasihoidlikult expands the adjective’s meaning to manner or mode of action. The word is used across neutral and formal registers and in descriptive prose.

Usage: It modifies verbs to indicate manner, for example, Ta vastas tagasihoidlikult (“He answered modestly”). It can describe behavior in social interactions, speech, or presentation, often implying restraint, deference, or reluctance to draw attention. In literature, tagasihoidlikult may characterize a reserved personality or a cautious approach to a situation.

Related terms: The noun tagasihoidlikkus denotes the quality of modesty or reticence, and tagasihoidlik is the corresponding adjective meaning “modest” or “reserved.” These forms are used in a range of contexts from everyday speech to more formal narration.

See also: Estonian adjectives and adverbs describing temperament and modality, such as modesty-related terms, and other manner adverbs formed with -ult/-lt in Estonian.