Adverbs of Manner
In English, we often add "-ly" to an adjective to create an adverb of manner (for example, "natural" becomes "naturally"). In Arabic, you can turn many adjectives and nouns into adverbs by applying the indefinite accusative ending.
The Accusative Ending (ـاً)
To form these adverbs, add the "-an" sound (called tanwin fath) to the end of the word. In writing, this is usually marked by an Alif with two diagonal lines (ـاً).
Compare the adjective طبيعي (natural) to its adverb form طبيعيا (naturally):
| This is a very natural thing. | هذا شيء طبيعي جدا.hâdhâ shay'un tabî'iyyun jiddan. |
| The actor speaks naturally. | يتكلم الممثل طبيعيا.yatakallamu al-mumaththilu tabee'iyyan |
The adjective كامل (complete) becomes the adverb كاملا (completely):
| This is a complete work. | هذا عمل كامل.hâdhâ 'amalun kâmilun |
| I read the book completely. | قرأت الكتاب كاملا.qara'tu al-kitâba kâmilan. |
Turning Nouns into Adverbs
You can apply this same ending to nouns. For instance, the noun سر (secret) becomes سرا (secretly):
| This is a secret between us. | هذا سر بيننا.hâdhâ sirrun baynanâ. |
| The manager spoke secretly with the employee. | تكلم المدير مع الموظف سرا.takallama al-mudîru maa al-muwaẓẓafi sirran |
Words Ending in Taa Marbuta (ـة)
If the base word ends in a Taa Marbuta (ـة), do not add an extra Alif. The ending sits directly on the ـة (though it is often left unwritten in everyday text).
For example, the noun عادة (habit) becomes the adverb عادة (usually):
| This is a good habit. | هذه عادة جيدة.hâdhihi 'âdatun jayyidah |
| She usually drinks coffee before work. | هي تشرب القهوة عادة قبل العمل.hiya tashrabu al-qahwata 'âdatan qabla al-'amali |
Common Adverbs in Action
Adverbs of manner typically appear after the verb and its object.
| The doctor started his work immediately. | بدأ الطبيب عمله فورا.bada'a at-tabîbu 'amalahu fawran |
Sometimes, an adverb is formed from the feminine version of an adjective. The adjective مباشر (direct) becomes the adverb مباشرة (directly):
| Is there a direct road? | هل هناك طريق مباشر؟hal hunâka tarîqun mubâshir? |
| I went to the hospital directly. | ذهبت إلى المستشفى مباشرة.dhahabtu ilâ al-mustashfâ mubâsharatan |
This pattern applies to a wide variety of adjectives and nouns to express manner and state:
| The patient slept deeply. | نام المريض عميقا.nâma al-marîdu 'amîqan. |
| The guest sat silently. | جلس الضيف صامتا.jalasa ad-dayfu sâmitan |
| I found the old book by chance. | وجدت الكتاب القديم صدفة.wajadtu al-kitâba al-qadîma sudfatan |
