Adverb Formation

Adjectives become adverbs by adding de 的 after the adjective when modifying a verb; without de, the word is usually an adjective describing a noun. This pattern lets you turn descriptive words into manner adverbs like "quickly" or "carefully."

Degree adverbs modify adjectives or other adverbs to show intensity; common ones like hěn 很, fēicháng 非常, and tǐng 挺 appear before the adjective without de. Use these to say something is very, quite, or extremely so.

Time adverbs tell when an action happens and usually come before the verb or at the sentence start; common ones include jīntiān 今天, yǐhòu 以后, and gāng 刚. Use them to situate actions in time clearly.

Frequency adverbs indicate how often something happens and typically appear before the verb; common ones are 常常 chángcháng, 有时 yǒushí, and 一直 yīzhí. Use them to describe habitual actions or patterns.

Manner adverbs describe how an action is done and are often formed by adding de 的 to an adjective or using set adverbial expressions; they usually appear right before the verb they modify. Use manner adverbs to give more detail about an action's style or method.

Mandarin adverbs fall into categories like time, frequency, manner, and degree; time and frequency adverbs typically precede the verb, manner adverbs often require de 的 after an adjective to modify the verb, and degree adverbs modify adjectives without de. Remember to place adverbs according to their type to make your sentences clear and natural.