Spanish Adverbs
Spanish adverbs (adverbios) are words that modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. They provide essential information about how, when, where, or to what extent an action occurs. Unlike adjectives, Spanish adverbs are invariable - they do not change form based on gender or number.
Key Characteristics
Invariable Nature
Unlike adjectives, adverbs never change form. "Rápidamente" stays the same whether describing a masculine, feminine, singular, or plural subject.
Formation with -mente
Many Spanish adverbs are formed by adding -mente to the feminine form of an adjective. This is equivalent to adding "-ly" in English.
Flexible Placement
Adverbs can appear before or after the verb, at the beginning or end of a sentence. Position can change emphasis but rarely changes meaning.
No Agreement Required
While adjectives must agree with nouns in gender and number, adverbs remain unchanged regardless of what they modify.
Visual Examples
Explore these adverbs with images and audio pronunciation from our visual dictionary.
Types of Adverbs
Adverbs of Manner
Describe HOW an action is performed
Adverbs of Time
Indicate WHEN an action occurs
Adverbs of Place
Indicate WHERE an action occurs
Adverbs of Frequency
Indicate HOW OFTEN an action occurs
Adverbs of Quantity
Indicate degree or intensity
Formation Rules
Add -mente to the feminine singular form of adjectives
When using multiple -mente adverbs in a series, only the last one gets -mente
Some adjectives work as adverbs without modification
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Making adverbs agree like adjectives
✓ Adverbs NEVER change form. Use "rápidamente" for all subjects, not "rápidamentes" or "rápidamento".
✗ Ellas corren rápidamentes | ✓ Ellas corren rápidamente
❌ Confusing "muy" and "mucho"
✓ "Muy" modifies adjectives and adverbs. "Mucho" modifies verbs and can stand alone.
✓ Muy bonito (very pretty) | ✓ Como mucho (I eat a lot) | ✗ Mucho bonito
❌ Using "bueno/malo" instead of "bien/mal" with verbs
✓ "Bueno" and "malo" are adjectives (modify nouns). "Bien" and "mal" are adverbs (modify verbs).
✗ Lo hizo bueno | ✓ Lo hizo bien (He did it well)
❌ Overusing -mente adverbs
✓ Spanish speakers often prefer adverbial phrases ("con cuidado" instead of "cuidadosamente") or short adverbs.
✓ Habla con cuidado (preferred) = ✓ Habla cuidadosamente (acceptable but wordy)
How Spanish Adverbs Differ from English
Placement Flexibility
Spanish adverbs have more flexible placement than English. "Siempre como pizza" and "Como siempre pizza" are both correct, though the first is more common.
No Agreement
Like English, Spanish adverbs don't change form. However, learners sometimes incorrectly try to make them agree like adjectives do.
Formation Pattern
Both languages add a suffix (-ly in English, -mente in Spanish), but Spanish adds it to the feminine form of adjectives.
Pro Tips for Using Adverbs
💡 Place time adverbs at the beginning for emphasis
Example: Mañana voy al médico (Tomorrow I'm going to the doctor) - emphasizes timing
💡 Adverbs of frequency usually go before the verb
Example: Siempre desayuno a las 8 (I always eat breakfast at 8)
💡 Very common adverbs can be shortened in speech
Example: Rápidamente → rápido (especially in Latin America)
Browse All 63 Spanish Adverbs
Explore our complete collection of Spanish adverbs, organized by CEFR proficiency level. Click any word to see detailed definitions, usage examples, and pronunciation guides.