Adjectives Used as Adverbs
To say how someone does something, use the plain adjective with no extra ending: Hy hardloop vinnig (he runs fast).
How It Works
No -ly ending. The same word works as an adjective and as an adverb:
- 'n vinnige kar (a fast car) → Die kar ry vinnig. (The car goes fast.)
- 'n goeie sanger (a good singer) → Sy sing goed. (She sings well.)
- 'n stadige trein (a slow train) → Praat stadig. (Speak slowly.)
Use the dictionary form. The -e and other changes you see before a noun (adjective + -e, goed → goeie) never appear on an adverb. So it is Sy sing goed, not goeie.
Where it goes. In a simple sentence the adverb comes after the verb, and after the object if there is one: Sy lees die brief stadig. With a helping verb like kan, it comes before the verb at the end: Hy kan vinnig hardloop.
Make it stronger. Put baie in front to mean very: Sy sing baie mooi.
Examples (6)
- Hy hardloop vinnig.
He runs fast.
Word by Word: He runs fast.
- Sy sing mooi.
She sings beautifully.
Word by Word: She sings beautiful.
Mooi describes the singing and has no ending.
- Praat stadig, asseblief.
Please speak slowly.
Word by Word: Speak slow, please.
- Die kinders werk hard.
The children work hard.
Word by Word: The children work hard.
- Ry versigtig!
Drive carefully!
Word by Word: Drive careful!
- Jy skryf baie netjies.
You write very neatly.
Word by Word: You write very neat.
Baie makes the adverb stronger.
Common Mistakes
Using the -e form of the adjective as an adverb.
Sy sing goeie.Sy sing goed.Goeie is only used before a noun ('n goeie sanger). To describe the singing, use goed.
Adding an ending to copy English -ly.
Hy hardloop vinniglik.Hy hardloop vinnig.Afrikaans does not add an ending like English -ly to say how something is done. Use the plain adjective.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Most adjectives can also describe how something is done, without changing form.
Related Patterns
- Adjective + -eWhen Adjectives Take -e
The -e ending belongs before nouns only, never on an adverb.
Level 2 - goed → goeieGoed Becomes Goeie
Goed becomes goeie before a noun but stays goed as an adverb.
Level 2 - baieVery: Baie
Baie makes an adverb stronger: baie mooi.
Level 1 - Comparative -er
Adverbs compare the same way: Hy hardloop vinniger.
Level 2 - Sentence Order: STOMPI
Where manner words fit in a longer sentence.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice Adjectives Used as Adverbs in Bubblegum
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