Degree adverbs in French are used to indicate the intensity or degree of an action, quality, or another adverb. They help specify "how much" or "to what extent" something happens.
Some common French degree adverbs include:
- très (very)
- trop (too much)
- assez (enough/rather)
- beaucoup (a lot)
- un peu (a little)
- plus (more)
- moins (less)
- peu (little)
- tellement (so much)
- si (so)
Usage Patterns
Degree adverbs typically come before the word they modify.
- Elle est très intelligente.* — She is very intelligent.
- Je travaille beaucoup.* — I work a lot.
- Il conduit trop vite.* — He drives too fast.
Tips
- Some degree adverbs can intensify a negative meaning:
- Je mange trop.* — I eat too much.
- Tu parles trop.* — You talk too much.
- Je dors peu.* — I sleep little.
- Use plus ... que for comparisons of degree (more ... than):
- Il est plus malade que hier.* — He is more sick than yesterday.
This overview covers the most common French degree adverbs and how they function.
Complete the French sentence: "Je parle ___." (I speak a little.)
un peu
"Un peu" means "a little" and diminishes the quantity or intensity of the verb "parle."
Complete the French sentence: "Je travaille ___." (I work a lot.)
beaucoup
"Beaucoup" means "a lot" and quantifies the verb "travaille." It shows the action is done to a large degree.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
