Adverbs & Common Adverbial Expressions
Adverbs & Common Adverbial Expressions 🇵🇹
Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, and — unlike adjectives — they never change form for gender or number.
Forming Adverbs of Manner
Add -mente to the feminine singular form of an adjective (similar to "-ly" in English):
| Adjective (fem.) | Adverb | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| lenta | lentamente | slowly |
| rápida | rapidamente | quickly |
| fácil | facilmente | easily |
| feliz | felizmente | happily / fortunately |
Common Adverbs & Expressions
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Time | hoje (today), amanhã (tomorrow), ontem (yesterday), sempre (always), nunca (never), já (already) |
| Place | aqui (here), ali / lá (there), perto (near), longe (far), em cima (above), em baixo (below) |
| Quantity/Degree | muito (very/a lot), pouco (a little), bastante (quite a lot), mais (more), menos (less) |
| Affirmation/Negation | sim (yes), não (no), talvez (maybe), claro (of course) |
Placement
Adverbs of manner usually follow the verb; adverbs of frequency (like sempre, nunca, já) often go right before it:
- Ela fala devagar. – She speaks slowly.
- Eu nunca como carne. – I never eat meat.
Tip: If you're unsure where to place an adverb, put it right after the verb — it's rarely wrong and always understood.