tõsiduse

Tõsidus is an Estonian noun meaning seriousness, gravity, or earnestness. The genitive singular form tõsiduse is used in phrases to indicate possession or association, for example when talking about the weight or importance of a matter (tõsiduse kaal). Tõsidus denotes the quality of being serious in attitude, speech or behavior; it can refer to the seriousness of a topic or to a person’s earnest, sincere demeanor.

Etymology: The noun is formed from the adjective tõsine (serious) with the suffix -dus, and tõsiduse is its genitive singular form.

Usage: In formal writing, journalism, philosophy, and literature, tõsidus signals gravitas and weight. In everyday speech it describes a serious tone or a person who acts with earnestness, as in ta vastas tõsisusega.

The term is neutral in itself and is used to describe a quality or attitude rather than a moral judgment. It often appears in discussions about communication, rhetoric, and the handling of important topics, where a measured, respectful tone is noted as indicative of tõsidus.