Frequency adverbs such as siempre (always), nunca (never), a veces (sometimes), and frecuentemente (frequently) indicate how often something happens. They help you talk about routines, habits, and the likelihood of events.
Common Frequency Adverbs in Spanish
Here are the most common frequency adverbs in Spanish, listed from most frequent to least frequent:
| Spanish Adverb | English Meaning | Example in Spanish | Example in English |
|---|---|---|---|
| siempre | always | Yo siempre desayuno a las 7. | I always have breakfast at 7. |
| casi siempre | almost always | Casi siempre salgo temprano. | I almost always leave early. |
| frecuentemente / con frecuencia | frequently / often | Él frecuentemente va al gimnasio. | He often goes to the gym. |
| a menudo / muchas veces | often / many times | Nosotros a menudo comemos juntos. | We often eat together. |
| algunas veces | sometimes (a few times) | Algunas veces estudio por la noche. | I sometimes study at night. |
| a veces | sometimes | A veces llueve en primavera. | It sometimes rains in spring. |
| pocas veces | rarely (a few times) | Ellos pocas veces viajan. | They rarely travel. |
| casi nunca | almost never | Yo casi nunca veo televisión. | I almost never watch TV. |
| nunca | never | Nunca fumo cigarrillos. | I never smoke cigarettes. |
Usage Rules and Examples
Position of Frequency Adverbs
- Usually before the main verb:
- Ella siempre llega temprano.* (She always arrives early.)
- But after the verb “ser” (to be):
- Él es siempre amable.* (He is always kind.)
- If there is an auxiliary verb, the adverb goes between them:
- He siempre comido pizza.* (I have always eaten pizza.)
Examples in Various Tenses
| Tense | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|
| Present | Yo siempre estudio en la biblioteca. | I always study in the library. |
| Preterite | Ayer nunca llegué tarde. | Yesterday I never arrived late. |
| Imperfect | A veces jugaba en el parque. | I sometimes played in the park. |
| Future | Frecuentemente viajaré a Europa. | I will frequently travel to Europe. |
| Present Perfect | Casi siempre he comido temprano. | I have almost always eaten early. |
Using Frequency Adverbs with Time Expressions
You can combine frequency adverbs with specific time markers for more detail:
| Combination | Meaning | Example (Spanish) | Example (English) |
|---|---|---|---|
| siempre + por la mañana | always in the morning | Siempre estudio por la mañana. | I always study in the morning. |
| a veces + los fines de semana | sometimes on weekends | A veces salgo los fines de semana. | I sometimes go out on weekends. |
| nunca + de noche | never at night | Nunca trabajo de noche. | I never work at night. |
Translate into Spanish: I never work at night.
Nunca trabajo de noche.
'Nunca' means 'never,' so 'Nunca trabajo de noche' correctly means 'I never work at night.'
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t put the adverb at the end of the sentence:
- Incorrect: *Yo estudio temprano siempre.
- Correct: Yo siempre* estudio temprano.
- Remember “nunca” means “never” — you don’t need another negative:
- Incorrect: *Yo no nunca canto.
- Correct: Yo nunca* canto.
- Avoid placing the adverb too far from the verb it modifies.
Practice Tips
- Start by using siempre, nunca, and a veces in simple sentences.
- Try writing about your daily routine using at least three different frequency adverbs.
- Listen for these adverbs in Spanish conversations and note how native speakers position them.
Frequency adverbs are small but powerful words that bring more accuracy to your Spanish, so keep practicing them in context!
What is a helpful writing exercise for mastering frequency adverbs?
Write about your daily routine using at least three different frequency adverbs.
Writing about your routine with various frequency adverbs helps reinforce their meanings and correct usage.
Flashcards (1 of 17)
- English Meaning: always
- Example in English: I always have breakfast at 7.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
