- Form adverbs from adjectives using the -mente suffix
- Learn the feminine form rule for creating adverbs
- Learn which adjectives add -mente directly
- Use multiple -mente adverbs in sequence correctly
- Recognise common irregular adverbs that don't use -mente
- Place adverbs correctly in sentences to modify verbs and adjectives
← Back to Grammar
AdjectivesElementary
Adverb Formation: Creating -mente Adverbs
Learn how to form adverbs from adjectives using -mente
What You'll Learn
Overview
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.
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
Rule 1: Adjectives Ending in -o/-a
For adjectives with masculine (-o) and feminine (-a) forms, use the feminine form and add -mente.
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 comes from Latin "mente" (ablative of "mens" = mind), which is feminine. Adverbs are literally formed from the feminine adjective + "mente" (with a ... mind).
Rule 2: Adjectives Ending in -e or Consonants
For adjectives ending in -e or a consonant (that don't change for gender), add -mente directly.
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, it's preserved in the adverb. No new accent is added on -mente.
rápida → rápidamente
fácil → fácilmente
difícil → difícilmente
común → comúnmente
Multiple -mente Adverbs in Sequence
With two or more -mente adverbs together, only the last one takes -mente. Others use the feminine adjective form.
CORRECT
Habla clara, lenta y cuidadosamente
She speaks clearly, slowly, and carefully
INCORRECT
Habla claramente, lentamente y cuidadosamente
Too many -mente suffixes
Common Adverbs That Don't Use -mente
Some common Spanish adverbs are irregular and don't follow the -mente pattern:
| 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 | - |
Examples
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 flexible in placement. Position can change emphasis.
After the Verb (Most Common)
Habla claramente
He speaks clearly
Before the Verb (Emphasis)
Probablemente llueve mañana
It will probably rain tomorrow
At the Beginning (Strong Emphasis)
Afortunadamente, llegamos a tiempo
Fortunately, we arrived on time
Common -mente Adverbs to Know
absolutamente
absolutely
actualmente
currently
completamente
completely
constantemente
constantly
especialmente
especially
exactamente
exactly
finalmente
finally
generalmente
generally
naturalmente
naturally
perfectamente
perfectly
realmente
really
totalmente
totally
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
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
Test your understanding of -mente adverb formation:
1. How do you form the adverb from 'rápido' (fast)?
Arápidamente
Brápidomente
Crápidemente
Drapidamente
2. How do you form the adverb from 'fácil' (easy)?
Afacilamente
Bfácilmente
Cfácilamente
Dfacilmente
3. What's the correct way to say 'She speaks clearly, slowly, and carefully'?
AHabla claramente, lentamente y cuidadosamente
BHabla clara, lenta y cuidadosamente
CHabla claro, lento y cuidadosamente
DHabla clara, lenta y cuidadosa
4. Which is the correct adverb for 'well'?
Abuenamente
Bbienmente
Cbien
Dbuenmente
5. What does 'actualmente' mean?
Aactually
Bcurrently / at present
Cactively
Daccurately
6. How do you say 'He drives carefully'?
AConduce cuidado
BConduce cuidadoso
CConduce cuidadosamente
DConduce cuidadosmente
7. What's the adverb for 'frecuente' (frequent)?
Afrecuentamente
Bfrecuentmente
Cfrecuentemente
Dfrecuentomente
8. Which sentence has correct adverb usage?
AÉl corre rápidamente
BElla corre rápidamente
CEllos corren rápidamente
DAll of the above