tölulega

Tölulega is an Icelandic adverb meaning numerically or in numerical terms. It signals that a statement concerns numbers, counts, measurements, or quantities rather than qualitative aspects. The form is related to the root töl- (numbers) and to the adjective tölulegur (numerical). In practice, tölulega appears in scientific, statistical, and data-driven writing to qualify statements with a numerical perspective.

Usage and function

Tölulega is used to emphasize the numerical dimension of a claim. It can modify nouns or adjectives in contexts where numbers, quantities, or measurements are being described. The word helps distinguish between qualitative descriptions and observations grounded in data. Its use is most common in formal or technical registers, such as reports, studies, and statistical commentary.

Relation to related terms

Tölulega is part of a family of numerically related forms in Icelandic, including tölulegur (numerical) and other derivatives built from the same root töl- (numbers). It serves as a stylistic or rhetorical tool to foreground quantitative aspects within a broader discussion.

Notes

As with many adverbs, the exact placement and idiomatic usage can vary by genre and author. While tölulega conveys a numerical orientation, it does not by itself specify the magnitude of a change or quantity—that information comes from the surrounding context and data.

See also

tölulegur, tölfræði, tölur

This article provides a concise overview of the term’s meaning, origin, and typical usage in Icelandic writing.