Degree adverbs in Spanish are words that modify adjectives, verbs, or other adverbs to indicate the intensity or degree of something.
Degree adverbs in Spanish express how much, to what extent, or to what degree an action occurs or a quality is present. They are essential for adding nuance and precision to descriptions and statements.
- Common degree adverbs include muy (very), tan (so), demasiado (too much), poco (a little), and más (more).
- Degree adverbs can modify adjectives, verbs, or other adverbs.
- Some degree adverbs are invariable (do not change form), while others agree in gender and number when they function as adjectives.
Here are some of the most frequently used degree adverbs in Spanish:
| Scraper Term | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| muy | very | Tengo muy poca hambre. (I am very little hungry.) |
| tan | so | La película es tan interesante. (The movie is so interesting.) |
| demasiado | too much/too | Comes demasiado rápido. (You eat too fast.) |
| poco | a little | Hablo poco español. (I speak a little Spanish.) |
| más | more | Quiero más agua. (I want more water.) |
| menos | less | Necesito menos azúcar. (I need less sugar.) |
| sumamente | extremely | Estoy sumamente cansado. (I am extremely tired.) |
| bastante | quite/enough | Estoy bastante seguro. (I am quite sure.) |
Hablo ___ español. (poco)
Which Spanish degree adverb means "a little"?
poco
"Poco" means "a little" and indicates a small quantity or degree.
Degree adverbs can modify adjectives, verbs, or other adverbs. Here’s how they work in each case:
. Modifying Adjectives
- Degree adverbs often appear before adjectives to indicate intensity.
| Scraper Term | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|
| Muy | Ella es muy inteligente. | She is very intelligent. |
| Tan | El libro es tan aburrido. | The book is so boring. |
| Demasiado | La sopa está demasiado caliente. | The soup is too hot. |
| Sumamente | La tarea es sumamente difícil. | The homework is extremely difficult. |
. Modifying Verbs
- When modifying verbs, degree adverbs describe the intensity or frequency of the action.
| Scraper Term | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|
| Mucho | Trabajo mucho. | I work a lot. |
| Demasiado | Estudio demasiado. | I study too much. |
| Poco | Salgo poco. | I go out little. |
| Más | Estudio más hoy. | I study more today. |
. Modifying Other Adverbs
- Degree adverbs can also intensify other adverbs, adding an extra layer of emphasis.
| Scraper Term | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|
| Muy | Habla muy lentamente. | He speaks very slowly. |
| Demasiado | Corre demasiado rápido. | She runs too fast. |
| Más | Escribe más cuidadosamente. | He writes more carefully. |
| Bastante | Llegó bastante temprano. | She arrived quite early. |
. Tan… como
- Tan is used in comparisons to mean "as… as."
| Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| Ella es tan alta como su madre. | She is as tall as her mother. |
| No soy tan rápido como tú. | I’m not as fast as you. |
. Demasiado + de + noun
- When demasiado is followed by a noun, it takes the preposition de.
| Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| Hay demasiado de ruido. | There is too much noise. |
| Comí demasiado de postre. | I ate too much dessert. |
. Agreement in Gender and Number
- When demasiado, poco, or bastante function as adjectives (not adverbs), they agree in gender and number.
| Singular Masculine | Singular Feminine | Plural Masculine | Plural Feminine |
|---|---|---|---|
| demasiado azúcar | demasiada sal | demasiados libros | demasiadas sillas |
| poco tiempo | poca agua | pocos amigos | pocas casas |
| bastante pan | bastante fruta | bastantes días | bastantes noches |
Note: When used as adverbs, these words are invariable: demasiado (too much), poco (a little), bastante (quite/enough).
Degree adverbs are essential tools for expressing intensity and nuance in Spanish. By understanding how to use them with adjectives, verbs, and other adverbs, you can communicate more precisely and naturally.
- Common degree adverbs include muy, tan, demasiado, poco, más, menos, sumamente, and bastante.
- They can modify adjectives, verbs, or other adverbs.
- Be mindful of special cases like tan… como (as… as) and demasiado de + noun.
- Remember that demasiado, poco, and bastante only agree in gender/number when they are adjectives, not adverbs.
Which of the following is NOT a common Spanish degree adverb?
rápidamente
"Rápidamente" means "quickly" and is an adverb of manner, not a degree adverb.
Flashcards (1 of 16)
- Scraper Term: Muy
- English Example: She is very intelligent.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
