# Making -mente adverbs

> id: grammar.adverbs.mente-formation · category: grammar · depth: standard · levels: A2 · review: internally_reviewed

**Summary.** Feminine adjective + -mente: rápida → rápidamente, fácil → fácilmente. In a series, only the last keeps -mente: lenta y claramente.

The productive way to turn an adjective into an adverb is to add -mente to its feminine singular form: rápida → rápidamente, lenta → lentamente, clara → claramente. Adjectives with a single form (ending in -e or a consonant) just add -mente: probable → probablemente, fácil → fácilmente, feliz → felizmente.

Any written accent on the adjective survives in the adverb: difícil → difícilmente, rápida → rápidamente, último → últimamente. (These words carry two stresses phonetically, which is why the original accent stays.)

When two or more -mente adverbs are coordinated, only the last keeps the suffix: habló clara y directamente, lo hizo lenta pero cuidadosamente. In speech, Spanish often avoids long -mente chains with con + noun or de manera/forma + adjective: con cuidado, de manera eficiente.

## Examples
- Respondió rápidamente. — She answered quickly.
- Explicó el plan simple y honestamente. — He explained the plan simply and honestly.
- Respondió rápida y amablemente a todas las preguntas. — She answered all the questions quickly and kindly.

Related: grammar.adverbs.manner

License: CC BY-SA 4.0 — Spanish Rules Library — spanishruleslibrary.com