Adverbs of Manner (Kako?): Quickly, Slowly (Brzo, Polako)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Adverbs of manner describe how an action is performed, usually by adding -o to the adjective stem.
- Most adverbs are formed by taking the neuter adjective form: 'brz' (fast) becomes 'brzo' (quickly).
- They usually come before the verb they modify: 'On brzo trči' (He runs quickly).
- They do not change based on gender or number; they are invariable.
Adverb Formation from Adjectives
| Adjective (M) | Adjective (N) | Adverb |
|---|---|---|
|
brz
|
brzo
|
brzo
|
|
spor
|
sporo
|
sporo
|
|
lijep
|
lijepo
|
lijepo
|
|
loš
|
loše
|
loše
|
|
tih
|
tiho
|
tiho
|
|
oprezan
|
oprezno
|
oprezno
|
Meanings
Adverbs of manner answer the question 'Kako?' (How?) and describe the quality or speed of an action.
Speed/Quality
Describing the pace or nature of an action.
“On brzo radi.”
“Ona polako govori.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Subject + Adverb + Verb
|
On brzo trči.
|
|
Negative
|
Subject + ne + Adverb + Verb
|
On ne brzo trči.
|
|
Question
|
Kako + Verb + Subject?
|
Kako on trči?
|
|
Short Answer
|
Adverb
|
Brzo.
|
|
Emphasis
|
Adverb + Subject + Verb
|
Brzo on trči.
|
|
Negated Adverb
|
Subject + Verb + ne + Adverb
|
On trči ne brzo.
|
Espectro de formalidade
On radi brzo. (Work/General)
On radi brzo. (Work/General)
Radi brzo. (Work/General)
Šiba brzo. (Work/General)
Adverb Manner Map
Speed
- brzo quickly
- sporo slowly
Quality
- dobro well
- loše badly
Exemplos por nível
On brzo trči.
He runs quickly.
Ona polako čita.
She reads slowly.
Radim dobro.
I work well.
Govoriš tiho.
You speak quietly.
Ne radim polako, radim brzo.
I don't work slowly, I work quickly.
Kako on vozi?
How does he drive?
On vozi jako oprezno.
He drives very carefully.
Pišeš vrlo lijepo.
You write very nicely.
Moramo postupati mudro u ovoj situaciji.
We must act wisely in this situation.
Ona je glasno pjevala na koncertu.
She sang loudly at the concert.
Oni su se ponašali čudno.
They behaved strangely.
Sve smo riješili mirno.
We solved everything peacefully.
Njegov govor je bio izuzetno jasno strukturiran.
His speech was extremely clearly structured.
Odluka je donesena prilično naglo.
The decision was made quite suddenly.
Oni su se neprestano svađali.
They were constantly arguing.
Morate pažljivo razmotriti sve opcije.
You must carefully consider all options.
Sarkastično se nasmiješila na njegov komentar.
She smiled sarcastically at his comment.
Problem je bio vješto izbjegnut.
The problem was skillfully avoided.
On je tvrdoglavo odbijao suradnju.
He stubbornly refused cooperation.
Sve je bilo detaljno objašnjeno.
Everything was explained in detail.
Govorio je elokventno, gotovo poetski.
He spoke eloquently, almost poetically.
Situacija se razvijala dramatično.
The situation was developing dramatically.
On je metodično analizirao podatke.
He methodically analyzed the data.
Sve je bilo suptilno nagoviješteno.
Everything was subtly hinted at.
Fácil de confundir
They look identical in the neuter form.
Some adverbs look like nouns.
Some words like 'tako' can be confusing.
Erros comuns
On je brzo.
On radi brzo.
Ona trči brza.
Ona trči brzo.
Brzo on trči.
On brzo trči.
On trči brz.
On trči brzo.
Ne trči brzo on.
On ne trči brzo.
Oni trče brzo.
Oni trče brzo.
Kako on radi? On radi dobar.
On radi dobro.
On je govorio jako glasn.
On je govorio jako glasno.
Ona je to uradila savršena.
Ona je to uradila savršeno.
Oni su se ponašali čudni.
Oni su se ponašali čudno.
On je to izveo vješt.
On je to izveo vješto.
Ona je to objasnila detaljan.
Ona je to objasnila detaljno.
To je bilo suptilan nagoviješteno.
To je bilo suptilno nagoviješteno.
On je to uradio dramatičan.
On je to uradio dramatično.
Padrões de frases
On ___ radi.
Ona ___ govori.
Mi smo to ___ riješili.
Oni su se ponašali ___.
Real World Usage
Radim brzo.
Dođi brzo!
Govorite polako.
Lijepo se provodimo.
Dostavite brzo.
Učim brzo.
Check the Adjective
Don't Decline
Placement
Politeness
Smart Tips
Always check if you need an adverb or adjective.
Use 'polako' to show you are relaxed.
Use adverbs to add detail.
If in doubt, use the neuter form.
Pronúncia
Stress
Adverbs usually keep the stress of the base adjective.
Statement
On radi brzo. ↘
Falling intonation for facts.
Memorize
Mnemônico
Think of the 'O' at the end of the adverb as an 'O' for 'Operation'—it describes the operation of the verb.
Associação visual
Imagine a turtle wearing a sign that says 'SPORO' and a cheetah wearing a sign that says 'BRZO'.
Rhyme
If the action is what you show, just add an O.
Story
Marko is a chef. He cuts vegetables 'brzo' (quickly). He talks to his customers 'lijepo' (nicely). But when he is tired, he works 'loše' (badly).
Word Web
Desafio
Describe three things you do today using an adverb of manner (e.g., 'I eat slowly').
Notas culturais
In Dalmatia, people often use adverbs with a specific melodic intonation.
Derived from Proto-Slavic neuter adjective forms.
Iniciadores de conversa
Kako radiš?
Kako voziš?
Kako si to riješio?
Kako se ponašaš u stresnim situacijama?
Temas para diário
Erros comuns
Test Yourself
On ___ trči.
Ona ___ govori.
Find and fix the mistake:
On radi brza.
On je brz. (He is fast.) -> He runs fast.
A: Kako radiš? B: ___.
trči / brzo / on
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Koja je riječ prilog?
Score: /8
Exercicios praticos
8 exercisesOn ___ trči.
Ona ___ govori.
Find and fix the mistake:
On radi brza.
On je brz. (He is fast.) -> He runs fast.
A: Kako radiš? B: ___.
trči / brzo / on
brz -> ?
Koja je riječ prilog?
Score: /8
Perguntas frequentes (8)
No, they are invariable.
Usually before the verb.
Most, but not all.
Yes, with 'Kako'.
Yes, it means 'well'.
It's a cultural staple for 'take it easy'.
Yes, by changing word order.
Yes, like 'dobro'.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Adverbial use of adjectives
German has more complex adjective declension.
-ment suffix
Croatian uses -o.
-mente suffix
Croatian uses neuter.
ku-form
Japanese is agglutinative.
tanwin
Arabic is root-based.
de particle
Chinese has no inflection.
