B1 Spanish GrammarAdverbs & Adverb Position
Master Spanish adverbs for manner, time, place, frequency, and degree. Learn to form adverbs from adjectives using -mente and understand the flexible but rule-governed position of adverbs in Spanish sentences. Discover alternatives to long -mente adverbs.
1Forming Adverbs with -mente
Form adverbs from adjectives by adding -mente to the feminine singular form: rápida→rápidamente, lenta→lentamente. If the adjective ends in -e or a consonant, just add -mente: fácil→fácilmente, frecuente→frecuentemente. The adjective keeps its accent mark.
Adverb Formation with -mente
| Adjective | Feminine | Adverb |
|---|---|---|
| rápido | rápida | rápidamente |
| lento | lenta | lentamente |
| perfecto | perfecta | perfectamente |
| fácil | fácil | fácilmente |
| frecuente | frecuente | frecuentemente |
| feliz | feliz | felizmente |
Examples
Habla español perfectamente.
She speaks Spanish perfectly.
-mente from perfecta
El tren llegĂł lentamente.
The train arrived slowly.
-mente from lenta
Fácilmente puedo hacerlo.
I can easily do it.
-mente from fácil
Normalmente desayuno a las ocho.
I normally have breakfast at eight.
-mente from normal
2Common Adverbs by Type
Spanish has many common adverbs that don't use -mente. Time: ahora, hoy, ayer, mañana, siempre, nunca, ya, todavĂa. Place: aquĂ, allĂ, cerca, lejos, arriba, abajo. Manner: bien, mal, asĂ, despacio, rápido. Degree: muy, bastante, demasiado, poco, mucho.
Common Non -mente Adverbs
| Category | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| Time | siempre, nunca, ya, todavĂa | always, never, already, still |
| Place | aquĂ, allĂ, cerca, lejos | here, there, near, far |
| Manner | bien, mal, despacio | well, badly, slowly |
| Degree | muy, bastante, demasiado | very, quite, too much |
| Frequency | a veces, a menudo | sometimes, often |
Examples
Siempre llega tarde.
He always arrives late.
frequency adverb
Vive muy cerca de aquĂ.
She lives very close to here.
degree + place adverbs
TodavĂa no he terminado.
I still haven't finished.
todavĂa = still/yet
Come demasiado rápido.
He eats too fast.
degree + manner
3Adverb Position
Adverb position is flexible but has tendencies. Manner adverbs usually follow the verb. Time and place adverbs often come at the start or end of the sentence. Frequency adverbs typically precede the main verb. Degree adverbs come before what they modify.
Adverb Position Guidelines
| Adverb Type | Typical Position | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Manner | after verb | Canta bien |
| Time | start or end | Hoy voy al cine / Voy al cine hoy |
| Frequency | before verb | Siempre llego temprano |
| Degree | before modified word | Muy cansado, bastante difĂcil |
Examples
Trabaja eficientemente.
She works efficiently.
manner after verb
Mañana tenemos examen.
Tomorrow we have an exam.
time at start for emphasis
Nunca he estado en JapĂłn.
I have never been to Japan.
frequency before verb
Es bastante interesante.
It's quite interesting.
degree before adjective
4Alternatives to -mente Adverbs
Long -mente adverbs can sound heavy. Alternatives include: adjective as adverb (hablar claro = hablar claramente), con + noun (con cuidado = cuidadosamente), de manera/forma + adjective (de manera rápida). When two -mente adverbs appear together, only the second gets -mente.
Adverb Alternatives
| -mente Form | Alternative | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| rápidamente | rápido / de prisa | quickly |
| cuidadosamente | con cuidado | carefully |
| claramente | claro / con claridad | clearly |
| frecuentemente | con frecuencia | frequently |
Examples
Habla claro, por favor.
Speak clearly, please.
adjective as adverb
Conduce con cuidado.
Drive carefully.
con + noun
Lo hizo rápida y eficientemente.
He did it quickly and efficiently.
-mente only on second
Trabaja de manera profesional.
She works professionally.
de manera + adjective