Manner adverbs in German (Adverbien des Manier) express the way or style in which an action is performed. They answer the question "Wie?" (How?) and are essential for adding detail and nuance to sentences. Typically, many manner adverbs are formed by adding -lich or -ig to adjectives, or by using the same form as the adjective, especially in comparative structures.
- Describe how an action is executed.
- Answer the question "Wie?" (How?).
- Often formed from adjectives (e.g., schnell → schnell, freundlich).
Manner adverbs describe how an action is performed.
Typical Manner Adverbs
Many common manner adverbs are either identical to their adjective form or are derived regularly:
| Adjective | Manner Adverb | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| schnell | schnell | quickly |
| langsam | langsam | slowly |
| laut | laut | loudly |
| leise | leise | quietly |
| richtig | richtig | correctly |
| falsch | falsch | incorrectly |
| freundlich | freundlich | kindly/friendly |
Example:
- Er fährt schnell. (He drives quickly.)
- Sie spricht sehr leise. (She speaks very quietly.)
Typical manner adverbs include schnell, langsam, and leise.
Position of Manner Adverbs
Manner adverbs generally follow the conjugated verb in a simple main clause or are placed after the direct object if there is one:
- Er arbeitet sorgfältig. (He works carefully.)
- Sie liest das Buch aufmerksam. (She reads the book attentively.)
If there are multiple adverbs, the usual order is: manner → place → time.
- Sie arbeitet effizient im Büro morgens. (She works efficiently in the office in the mornings.)
In subordinate clauses, the manner adverb comes at the end or just before the object/other elements if present.
Manner adverbs appear after the verb or after the direct object.
Adverbs from Adjectives
Some adverbs are formed directly from adjectives, especially those ending in -ig, -lich, or -isch. These forms are invariable (do not change for gender, number, or case):
- möglich → möglich (possibly, if possible)
- freundlich → freundlich (kindly)
- typisch → typisch (typically)
Most manner adverbs are formed from adjectives, often with -lich or -ig.
Examples in Context
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Er spricht deutlich. | He speaks clearly. |
| Sie arbeitet fleißig. | She works diligently. |
| Wir reisen bequem. | We travel comfortably. |
| Der Lehrer erklärt geduldig. | The teacher explains patiently. |
Conclusion
Manner adverbs give you the power to describe actions in detail and with style.
- They answer the question "Wie?" (How?).
- Often identical to adjectives or formed with -lich/-ig.
- Follow the verb or object in most sentences.