- Form adverbs from adjectives using the -mente suffix
- Master the feminine form rule for creating adverbs
- Learn which adjectives add -mente directly
- Use multiple -mente adverbs in sequence correctly
- Recognize common irregular adverbs that don't use -mente
- Place adverbs correctly in sentences to modify verbs and adjectives
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Adverb Formation with -mente
What You'll Learn
Overview / Usage
In Spanish, most adverbs are formed by adding -mente to adjectives, similar to adding "-ly" in English (quick → quickly). The suffix -mente literally means "mind" but functions purely as an adverb marker.
🎯 Quick Examples
rápido → rápidamente
quick → quickly
fácil → fácilmente
easy → easily
completo → completamente
complete → completely
Understanding adverb formation allows you to describe actions more precisely and express how, when, or to what degree something happens.
Structure & Formation
📐 Formation Rule 1: Adjectives Ending in -o/-a
For adjectives that have masculine (-o) and feminine (-a) forms, use the feminine form and add -mente.
Formula:
Feminine adjective + -mente
rápido → rápida
rápidamente
quickly
lento → lenta
lentamente
slowly
claro → clara
claramente
clearly
exacto → exacta
exactamente
exactly
completo → completa
completamente
completely
directo → directa
directamente
directly
💡 Why feminine? The -mente suffix historically comes from the Latin word "mente" (ablative of "mens" = mind), which is feminine. So adverbs are literally formed from the feminine adjective + "mente" (with a ... mind).
📐 Formation Rule 2: Adjectives Ending in -e or Consonants
For adjectives that end in -e or a consonant (and don't change for gender), simply add -mente directly to the adjective.
Formula:
Adjective (-e or consonant) + -mente
Ends in consonant
fácil →
fácilmente
easily
Ends in consonant
difícil →
difícilmente
with difficulty
Ends in -e
frecuente →
frecuentemente
frequently
Ends in -e
reciente →
recientemente
recently
Ends in -e
simple →
simplemente
simply
Ends in consonant
normal →
normalmente
normally
✍️ Accent Marks are Preserved
If the adjective has an accent mark, it is preserved when forming the adverb. The adverb does NOT add a new accent on the -mente part.
rápido/rápida →
rápidamente
quickly
fácil →
fácilmente
easily
difícil →
difícilmente
with difficulty
común →
comúnmente
commonly
Note: The accent stays on the same syllable as in the original adjective: rápida → rápidamente (not rápidamenté)
🔗 Multiple -mente Adverbs in Sequence
When using two or more -mente adverbs together, only the last one takes the -mente suffix. The others use the feminine adjective form (without -mente).
Formula:
Fem. adjective + fem. adjective + y + fem. adjective + -mente
✓ CORRECT
Habla clara, lenta y cuidadosamente
She speaks clearly, slowly, and carefully
✗ INCORRECT
Habla claramente, lentamente y cuidadosamente
Too many -mente suffixes
More Examples:
Trabajo rápida, eficiente y profesionalmente
I work quickly, efficiently, and professionally
Se comporta tranquila y respetuosamente
He behaves calmly and respectfully
🚫 Common Adverbs That DON'T Use -mente
Some of the most common Spanish adverbs are irregular and don't follow the -mente pattern. You must memorise these!
| Adverb | Meaning | Related Adjective |
|---|---|---|
| bien | well | bueno (good) |
| mal | badly | malo (bad) |
| mejor | better | bueno (good) |
| peor | worse | malo (bad) |
| mucho | a lot, much | mucho (much) |
| poco | little, not much | poco (little) |
| más | more | - |
| menos | less | - |
Ella canta bien
She sings well
Él habla mal español
He speaks Spanish badly
Trabajo mucho
I work a lot
Examples
💬 -mente Adverbs in Context
Speed & Manner
Camina lentamente por el parque
He walks slowly through the park
Habla claramente para que entiendan
She speaks clearly so they understand
Trabajan rápidamente en el proyecto
They work quickly on the project
Conduce cuidadosamente en la lluvia
He drives carefully in the rain
Frequency & Time
Voy frecuentemente al gimnasio
I go to the gym frequently
Recientemente compré un coche
I recently bought a car
Normalmente desayuno a las ocho
I normally have breakfast at eight
Raramente como comida rápida
I rarely eat fast food
Certainty & Probability
Probablemente llegue tarde
I'll probably arrive late
Posiblemente viaje a España
I'll possibly travel to Spain
Definitivamente voy a la fiesta
I'm definitely going to the party
Seguramente llueve mañana
It'll surely rain tomorrow
📍 Adverb Position in Sentences
Unlike English, Spanish adverbs are quite flexible in their placement. The position can change emphasis.
After the Verb (Most Common)
Habla claramente
He speaks clearly
Trabajan eficientemente
They work efficiently
Before the Verb (For Emphasis)
Probablemente llueve mañana
It will probably rain tomorrow
Frecuentemente voy al cine
I frequently go to the cinema
At the Beginning (Strong Emphasis)
Afortunadamente, llegamos a tiempo
Fortunately, we arrived on time
Sinceramente, no me gusta
Honestly, I don't like it
🎯 Common -mente Adverbs to Know
absolutamente
absolutely
actualmente
currently
completamente
completely
constantemente
constantly
especialmente
especially
exactamente
exactly
finalmente
finally
generalmente
generally
igualmente
equally
naturalmente
naturally
perfectamente
perfectly
personalmente
personally
prácticamente
practically
realmente
really
totalmente
totally
Gotchas / Common Mistakes
❌ Don't Add -mente to Irregular Adverbs
Never add -mente to words that are already adverbs:
Wrong:bienmente
Correct:bien
⚠️ False Friend: Actualmente
Actualmente means "currently" or "at present", NOT "actually"!
Actualmente vivo en Madrid
I currently live in Madrid (NOT: Actually, I live...)
For "actually" use: en realidad, de hecho, realmente
💡 Adverbs Don't Change for Gender/Number
Unlike adjectives, adverbs are invariable - they never change:
Él habla rápidamente
Ella habla rápidamente
Ellos hablan rápidamente
📝 Remember the Feminine Form
Always use the feminine form for -o/-a adjectives:
Correct: rápida → rápidamente
Wrong: rápido → rápidomente
🔄 Some Adjectives Can't Take -mente
Not all adjectives can form adverbs with -mente. Some use different adverbial phrases:
contento (happy) → con alegría (happily)
triste (sad) → con tristeza (sadly)
Note: "contentamente" and "tristemente" exist but are less common
⚖️ Too Many -mente Can Sound Heavy
Using many -mente adverbs in one sentence sounds awkward. Vary your style:
Heavy:
Rápidamente, eficientemente y cuidadosamente terminó
Better:
Terminó con rapidez, eficiencia y cuidado
(Using nouns with "con" instead)
Quick Test / Mini Quiz
📝 Interactive Adverb Formation Quiz
Test your knowledge of forming Spanish adverbs with -mente!
1
How do you form the adverb from 'rápido' (fast)?
2
How do you form the adverb from 'fácil' (easy)?
3
What's the correct way to say 'She speaks clearly, slowly, and carefully'?
4
Which is the correct adverb for 'well'?
5
What does 'actualmente' mean?
6
How do you say 'He drives carefully'?
7
Which adverb preserves its accent mark correctly?
8
What's the adverb for 'frecuente' (frequent)?
Useful Resources
Coming soon...