All about Spanish Adverbs

Spanish adverbs are similar to those in English in that they can be generally recognized by their endings. In most cases they end in "-mente".

In English most adverbs end in the letters "-ly".

Examples are slowly, gently, rapidly.

An adverb is a word that describes or embellishes a verb (a doing word or action word).

Forming the Spanish Adverb

To form the adverb in Spanish the feminine form of the descriptive adjective is taken and to this is added "-mente."

For example:

Adjectives used as Adverbs

Certain adjectives can be used as adverbs.

alto, bajo, barato, claro, derecho, fuerte, rápido

• hablar alto - to speak loudly
• hablar bajo - to speak quietly
• hablar fuerte - to speak loudly
• costar barato - to be cheap
• costar caro - to be expensive
• ver claro - to see clearly
• nadar rápido - to swim rapidly

(Source: Collins Spanish Dictionary plus Grammar, 2001. To buy this book see the Spanish Books section).

Position of Adverbs

Spanish Adverbs are generally placed after the verb they modify, but there is no hard and fast rule in Spanish.

Irregular formation of Spanish Adverbs

Good and bad are formed irregularly in Spanish.

bueno (good) becomes bien (well).malo (bad) becomes mal (badly).

To learn more about more effectively absorbing Spanish adverbs click on the link. Learning and memorizing Spanish Adverbs more effectively.

Spanish Adjectives | Spanish Adverbs | Spanish Conjunctions & Prepositions | Spanish Genders | Spanish Grammar | Spanish Pronunciation | Spanish Verbs | Spanish Word Stress

Learn Spanish Help
Copyright 2004-2011
Transcity Properties Ltd, 32 Alverton, Great Linford, Milton Keynes, MK14 5EF, United Kingdom