Manner adverbs tell us how something is done. They often answer questions like „Wie…?“ (How…?). In German, many manner adverbs are formed by adding -lich, -ig, or -erweise to adjectives, but some are identical to adjectives or are fixed adverbial phrases.
German manner adverbs typically come after the finite verb in main clauses or at the end of the sentence.
Formation
- From adjectives by adding -lich, -ig, or -erweise
- Some remain identical to the adjective
- Some are fixed expressions (e.g., laut und deutlich)
- Many plural or comparative/superlative forms are possible (using mehr, am meisten etc.)
Common Manner Adverbs
| German Adverb | English Example | Example Sentence (German) | Example Sentence (English) |
|---|---|---|---|
| schnell | quickly | Er läuft schnell. | He runs quickly. |
| langsam | slowly | Sie spricht langsam. | She speaks slowly. |
| laut | loudly | Die Kinder schreien laut. | The children shout loudly. |
| leise | quietly | Bitte sei leise. | Please be quiet. |
| sorgfältig | carefully | Er arbeitet sorgfältig. | He works carefully. |
| genau | exactly | Du hast es genau richtig gemacht. | You did it exactly right. |
| freundlich | kindly | Sie behandelt alle freundlich. | She treats everyone kindly. |
| plötzlich | suddenly | Plötzlich begann es zu regnen. | Suddenly, it began to rain. |
| problemlos | without problems | Ich habe das problemlos geschafft. | I managed that without problems. |
| gut | well | Er spielt gut Klavier. | He plays piano well. |
Position in Sentence
- Manner adverbs usually come after the finite verb or at the end in main clauses.
- They can appear before the object or other adverbials for emphasis.
- In subordinate clauses, they come towards the end (just before the past participle or infinitive if present).
Where do manner adverbs usually appear in German main clauses?
After the finite verb or at the end
In main clauses, manner adverbs most commonly appear after the finite verb or at the end of the sentence, following standard German word order.
Examples
| German Sentence | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Er fährt einfach zu schnell. | He simply drives too fast. |
| Wir haben das Projekt sorgfältig geplant. | We planned the project carefully. |
| Sie antwortete freundlich und geduldig. | She answered kindly and patiently. |
| Plötzlich fiel das Licht aus. | Suddenly, the light went out. |
| Kannst du das bitte leise machen? | Can you please do that quietly? |
Summary
- Manner adverbs describe how an action is done.
- They are often formed from adjectives but remain unchanged or take endings like -lich.
- Common examples include schnell, langsam, laut, leise, and sorgfältig.
- They usually appear after the finite verb or at the end of the sentence.
- Manner adverbs can be combined with other adverbs for emphasis (e.g., sehr schnell, ganz leise).
German manner adverbs are a versatile and essential part of expressing actions in more detail.
Can manner adverbs be combined with other adverbs in German?
Yes, for example: sehr schnell, ganz leise.
Manner adverbs can be intensified or modified by combining them with other adverbs such as sehr (very) or ganz (quite).
Flashcards (1 of 15)
- English Example: quickly
- Example Sentence (English): He runs quickly.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
