Adjectives Used as Adverbs
Dutch doesn't use a suffix like '-ly' to turn adjectives into adverbs. You simply use the dictionary form of the adjective to describe how an action is performed.
How It Works
In English, we distinguish between 'quick' (adjective) and 'quickly' (adverb). In Dutch, the word snel covers both roles.
1. Manner Adverbs
When you want to describe how someone does something, use the base form of the adjective. Unlike adjective inflection, adverbs generally do not take an '-e' ending.
Example: Hij rijdt snel. (He drives fast/quickly).
2. Degree Adverbs
Adjectives can also modify other adjectives to show degree. The base form is used (erg koud). Note that while you may hear hele in colloquial speech (een hele grote man), the formal standard is to keep the adverb uninflected: een heel grote man.
3. Comparisons and Participles
Adverbs can be used in the comparative (sneller) and superlative forms. For the superlative, het snelst is the formal standard for adverbs. While you might hear het snelste in informal speech, you should use the form without the '-e' in writing. Additionally, a present participle can act as an adverb: Hij liep fluitend naar huis (He walked home whistling).
4. Distinguishing from Adjectives
Dutch also uses the base form for predicative adjectives (De man is aardig). Furthermore, an adjective without -e also occurs when describing a het-word with an indefinite article (een mooi huis). To tell them apart, remember that an adverb describes the action (De man praat aardig), not the noun itself.
Examples (6)
- Zij zingt mooi.
She sings beautifully.
Word by Word: She sings beautiful.
The adjective 'mooi' (beautiful) is used here as an adverb to describe the manner of singing.
- De trein vertrok erg snel.
The train left very quickly.
Word by Word: The train departed very fast.
Both 'erg' and 'snel' are adjectives acting as adverbs here. 'Erg' modifies 'snel', and 'snel' modifies the verb.
- Hij loopt sneller dan ik.
He walks faster than I do.
Word by Word: He walks faster than I.
Adverbs can also take the comparative form to compare how actions are performed.
- Zij kwam lachend de kamer binnen.
She entered the room laughing.
Word by Word: She came laughing the room inside.
A present participle can also function as an adverb to describe the state or manner of the subject during an action.
- Dat is een heel mooie auto.
That is a very beautiful car.
Word by Word: That is a whole beautiful car.
In colloquial Dutch, the degree adverb 'heel' often takes an -e ending when it precedes an inflected adjective.
- Hij spreekt het snelst van iedereen.
He speaks the fastest of everyone.
Word by Word: He speaks the fastest of everyone.
This shows the superlative form used adverbially.
Common Mistakes
Adding an '-e' ending to a manner adverb.
Hij rijdt snelle.Hij rijdt snel.Learners often confuse adverbs with inflected adjectives. Manner adverbs generally do not take the '-e' ending.
Using 'wel' (emphasis) instead of 'goed' to say 'well'.
Different MeaningIk spreek wel Nederlands.Ik spreek goed Nederlands.'Ik spreek wel Nederlands' is correct, but it means 'I do speak Dutch', often against an expectation. 'Wel' is a particle for emphasis or contrast. To describe how well you speak it, use 'goed'.
Trying to add '-lijk' to every adjective to make it an adverb.
Zij zingt mooilijk.Zij zingt mooi.While '-lijk' exists in some fixed adverbs like 'natuurlijk', it is not a productive suffix like '-ly' in English. Most adjectives are used as adverbs in their base form.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand how adjectives function as adverbs in Dutch, you first need to be familiar with basic adjective forms and their inflection rules. Specifically, you should know that while adjectives often take an -e ending when preceding a noun, they remain in their base form when used predicatively (after a verb like 'zijn'). Since Dutch adverbs use this same uninflected base form, understanding this distinction is key to using them correctly to modify actions.
- Adjectives After the Verb
Understanding that adjectives do not take an -e ending when they follow a verb (predicative use) is essential, as adverbs follow the same rule of using the base form.
Level 1 - Adjective + -eAdjective Inflection
Learners need to know how adjectives are normally inflected to understand that adverbs specifically omit these endings.
Level 1 - Basic Verb Conjugation
Since adverbs modify verbs, the learner must be able to construct basic sentences with conjugated verbs to see how the adverb functions.
Foundations
Related Patterns
- When the Adjective Takes No -e
Explains specific cases where adjectives modifying nouns also do not take the -e ending.
Level 1 - heel/erg/zeerVery
These are common adjectives used as adverbs of degree to mean 'very'.
Level 2 - welIndeed/Actually/Do
A particle often confused with the adverb 'goed' (well) by English speakers.
Level 3 - Basic Spelling Rules
Understanding syllable structure helps explain why the spelling of the base form (adverb) differs from the inflected form (adjective).
Foundations
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice Adjectives Used as Adverbs in Bubblegum
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