Adjective or Adverb
Use -a to describe a noun and -e to describe an action.
How It Works
| It describes | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| a noun | an adjective in -a | Ana estas bona amikino. |
| a verb | an adverb in -e | Ana kantas bone. |
| an adjective | an adverb | La kanto estas tre bela. |
The same root gives both words: bona and bone, rapida and rapide. Most adverbs end in -e, but a few short ones, such as tre (very), have no -e. The adjective agrees with its noun in -j and -n. The adverb never takes -j, and it agrees with nothing.
After estas with a subject, the description belongs to the subject, so it is an adjective: La kafo estas varma, Ana estas feliĉa.
When there is no subject, as in a remark about the weather or a situation, estas takes an -e word: Estas varme, Estas bone.
Examples (5)
- Ana estas bona amikino.
Ana is a good friend.
Bona describes the noun amikino, so it ends in -a.
- Ana kantas bone.
Ana sings well.
Bone describes the verb kantas, so it ends in -e.
- La kafo estas varma.
The coffee is warm.
After estas, an adjective describes the subject la kafo.
- Estas varme en Brazilo.
It is warm in Brazil.
With no subject, estas takes an -e word.
- La kanto estas tre bela.
The song is very beautiful.
Tre is an adverb that strengthens the adjective bela.
Common Mistakes
Using an adjective for an action.
Ana kantas bona.Ana kantas bone.Bone tells how Ana sings, so it needs the -e ending.
Using an adverb for a description of the subject.
La kafo estas varme.La kafo estas varma.Varma describes la kafo, a noun, so it needs the -a ending.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Telling an adjective from an adverb needs the adverb ending.
Related Patterns
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice Adjective or Adverb in Bubblegum
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