Forming Adverbs with -mente

Spanish: La formacion de adverbios con -mente

Level: B1 Intermediate

Category: adverbs

Explanation

In Spanish, many adverbs of manner are formed by adding the suffix -mente to an adjective. This suffix is equivalent to the English ending -ly. For example, from the adjective "rapido" we get the adverb "rapidamente" (quickly), and from "lento" we get "lentamente" (slowly). Adverbs of manner describe how an action is performed. The main rule is simple: if the adjective has a feminine form (ends in -o), you must use the feminine form (-a) before adding -mente. So "rapido" first becomes "rapida" and then "rapidamente". If the adjective does not change according to gender (ends in -e or a consonant), you simply add -mente with no change: "fuerte" becomes "fuertemente" and "facil" becomes "facilmente". A very important detail is accentuation. The original adjective keeps its written accent (tilde) when forming the adverb. That is why "rapido" (with a tilde) produces "rapidamente", and "facil" produces "facilmente". The suffix -mente is always pronounced with its own stress, so these adverbs have two stressed syllables. When two or more -mente adverbs appear in a row, only the last one keeps the suffix. The previous ones appear in their feminine adjective form. For example: "Habla clara y lentamente" (She speaks clearly and slowly). This rule avoids repetition and sounds more natural.

Examples

• El camarero trae los cafes rapidamente. - The waiter brings the coffees quickly.
• Por favor, hable lentamente, no entiendo bien. - Please speak slowly, I do not understand well.
• El museo abre normalmente a las diez. - The museum normally opens at ten.
• Naturalmente, puede pagar con tarjeta aqui. - Naturally, you can pay by card here.
• El tren sale puntualmente a las nueve. - The train leaves punctually at nine.