Manner adverbs describe how something happens. In Spanish, they usually come from adjectives and show the way or style of an action.
Formation
Most manner adverbs are formed by adding -mente to the feminine singular form of an adjective.
If there are multiple adjectives, each one takes the -mente ending: rápida y cuidadosamente → rápida y cuidadosamente (quickly and carefully).
| Spanish Adjective (feminine) | Spanish Adverb |
|---|---|
| rápido | rápidamente |
| English Adverb | |
Placement
Manner adverbs can be placed either before or after the main verb, but they most commonly appear after it.
In compound tenses, the adverb usually goes after the past participle:
| Spanish Sentence |
|---|
| Ella habla claramente. |
| English Translation |
Common Manner Adverbs
Here are some frequently used manner adverbs in Spanish:
| Spanish Adverb |
|---|
| bien |
| English Translation |
Usage Tips
- Not all adverbs of manner end in -mente (e.g., bien, mal, rápido, despacio).
- Using -mente makes the word formally correct and more precise.
- You can use a phrase with de + noun or que + clause to express manner more vividly:
- Lo hizo de manera sorprendente. (He did it in a surprising way.)
- Habla como un experto. (He speaks like an expert.)
Examples
Manner adverbs help add detail and nuance to your descriptions of actions.
| Spanish Sentence |
|---|
| Ella canta maravillosamente. |
| English Translation |
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Last updated: Thu Jul 17, 2025