Adverb formation (-mente)

Forming Adverbs with -mente

In English, we often add "-ly" to an adjective to turn it into an adverb (like changing "slow" to "slowly"). In Spanish, you do this by adding the suffix -mente.

To form these adverbs, look at how the adjective ends.

Adjectives Ending in -o

If an adjective ends in -o, first change it to its feminine form by swapping the -o for an -a, then add -mente. For example, lento (slow) becomes lentamente (slowly), and correcto (correct) becomes correctamente (correctly).

This car is very fast, but I drive slowly.
Este carro es muy rápido, pero yo manejo lentamente.
The doctor opens the door carefully.
El doctor abre la puerta cuidadosamente.
You need to write the message correctly.
Necesitas escribir el mensaje correctamente.

Adjectives Ending in -e or a Consonant

If the adjective ends in -e or a consonant, you don't need to change its ending. Just attach -mente directly to the adjective.

These students practice constantly.
Estos estudiantes practican constantemente.

If the original adjective has a written accent mark, like fácil (easy), the new adverb keeps the accent on the exact same letter!

We learn the language easily.
Aprendemos el idioma fácilmente.