Adverbs of manner (-mente)

In English, we add "-ly" to an adjective to create an adverb (like turning "slow" into "slowly"). In Italian, we add the suffix -mente to describe how an action is performed.

Adjectives Ending in -o

To form an adverb from an adjective ending in -o, change it to the feminine singular form (-a), then add -mente.

  • lento (slow) → lentalentamente (slowly)
  • sicuro (certain) → sicurasicuramente (certainly)
She reads the document slowly.
Legge il documento lentamente.
They are definitely in the office now.
Sono sicuramente in ufficio adesso.
We are at home and we work peacefully.
Siamo a casa e lavoriamo tranquillamente.

Adjectives Ending in -e

If an adjective already ends in -e, simply add -mente to the end of the word.

  • veloce (quick) → velocemente (quickly)
We are late, we must finish quickly.
Siamo in ritardo, dobbiamo finire velocemente.
In July they work quickly.
A luglio lavorano velocemente.

Adjectives Ending in -le or -re

For adjectives ending in -le or -re, drop the final -e before adding -mente.

  • facile (easy) → facilmente (easily)
  • gentile (kind) → gentilmente (kindly)
Do you easily understand this project?
Capite facilmente questo progetto?
We hardly ever work on the weekend.
Difficilmente lavoriamo il fine settimana.
Can you kindly close the door?
Potete gentilmente chiudere la porta?

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