Spanish Adverbs in -mente and Describing How Things Happen

Spanish Adverbs in -mente and Describing How Things Happen

In this lesson, you will form common Spanish adverbs in -mente and use them to describe how an action happens. You will also distinguish an adverb from an adjective that describes a noun.

Build -mente from the feminine adjective form

When the adjective has separate masculine and feminine forms, start with the feminine form and add -mente.

• rápido → rápida → rápidamente — fast → quickly
• lento → lenta → lentamente — slow → slowly
• claro → clara → claramente — clear → clearly
• tranquilo → tranquila → tranquilamente — calm → calmly

If the adjective has one common form, add -mente directly

• fácil → fácilmente — easy → easily
• difícil → difícilmente — difficult → with difficulty / hardly
• normal → normalmente — normal → normally

Keep an original written accent

If the adjective already has a written accent, it normally remains in the -mente adverb.

• rápida → rápidamente — quickly
• fácil → fácilmente — easily
• difícil → difícilmente — with difficulty

Use the adverb to describe the action

• Habla lentamente. — He / she speaks slowly.
• Explica claramente el problema. — He / she explains the problem clearly.
• Trabajo tranquilamente en casa. — I work calmly at home.
• Ana responde rápidamente. — Ana responds quickly.

Adjective versus adverb

An adjective describes a noun.

• Es una respuesta rápida. — It is a quick answer.
• La explicación es clara. — The explanation is clear.

An adverb describes how the action happens.

• Ana responde rápidamente. — Ana responds quickly.
• Carlos explica claramente. — Carlos explains clearly.

Compare the same root

• un coche rápido — a fast car
• El coche va rápidamente. — The car goes quickly.
• una explicación clara — a clear explanation
• Explica claramente. — Explain clearly.

Do not force every manner expression into -mente

Spanish often has a shorter familiar expression that is more natural.

• Habla despacio. — Speak slowly.
• Hazlo con cuidado. — Do it carefully.
• Trabaja bien. — He / she works well.

You do not need to replace despacio, con cuidado, or bien with a longer -mente form just because you are learning this pattern.

Choose the form from the meaning

Person A: ¿Cómo habla el profesor? — How does the teacher speak?

Person B: Habla claramente y despacio. — He speaks clearly and slowly.

Person A: ¿Cómo respondió Ana? — How did Ana respond?

Person B: Respondió rápidamente. — She responded quickly.

Writing practice

Choose an adverb that describes how the action happens:

• El empleado explicó el cambio claramente. — The employee explained the change clearly.
• Leí el mensaje cuidadosamente. — I read the message carefully.
• Normalmente trabajo por la mañana. — I normally work in the morning.

For this lesson, cuidadosamente — carefully is a useful -mente adverb formed from cuidadosa.

A practical -mente method

1. Identify the adjective you want to use.
2. If it changes for gender, use its feminine singular form.
3. Add -mente.
4. Keep any original written accent.
5. Use the adverb to describe how the action happens.
6. Use a normal adjective when you are describing a noun.
7. Prefer a simpler familiar manner expression when it is more natural.

From Manner Adverbs to Phone Messages

You can now form and use common -mente adverbs to describe how actions happen. The next lesson asks you to follow a short Spanish phone message and note exactly what you need to do next.