Talitluslikult

Talitluslikult is an Estonian adverb derived from the adjective talitluslik, meaning careful, conscientious, or meticulous. The adverbial form is constructed by adding the suffix –ult, which is the standard suffix for adverbs in Estonian that express manner. Talitluslikult thus translates into English as "conscientiously", "meticulously", or "deliberately".

In Estonian syntax, talitluslikult modifies verbs and may appear before, between, or after the verb phrase, depending on emphasis. For example, "Ta tegi töö talitluslikult" means "He performed the work conscientiously". When the adverb follows the verb, it often serves to intensify the quality of the action, whereas placement before the verb can emphasize the speaker’s assessment of the manner.

The root word talitluslik is closely related to the noun talitlus, meaning deliberation or effort. Thus, talitluslikult can be seen as emphasizing the thoughtfulness and effort invested in an action. It is commonly used in both spoken and written Estonian, especially in contexts that call for a careful or methodical approach, such as academic writing, professional instructions, and moral or ethical commentary.

Comparatively, Estonian offers other adverbs of manner such as kiiresti (quickly), aeglaselt (slowly), and selgelt (clearly). While the latter describe different aspects of an action, talitluslikult specifically denotes intentionality and thoroughness.

Because of its clear morphological construction and established usage, talitluslikult is taught in Estonian language curricula as an example of the –ult adverbial suffix. It is generally regarded as neutral and formal, and thus preferred in contexts requiring a measured or measured tone.