Language/Vietnamese/Grammar/Adverbs

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Vietnamese Grammar → → Adverbs

As a Vietnamese language teacher with 20 years of experience, I believe that understanding adverbs is essential for achieving fluency in Vietnamese. Adverbs describe how actions are performed, and they can greatly enhance communication. In this lesson, we will explore Vietnamese adverbs and their use.

Take some time to dive into these other pages after completing this lesson: Give your Opinion & Modal Verbs.

What Are Adverbs?

Adverbs are words that describe or modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. They can indicate manner, time, frequency, place, degree, or reason. In English, common adverbs include "quickly," "often," and "very."

In Vietnamese, adverbs are often formed by adding "-ly" at the end of adjectives. For example, "nhanh" means "fast," and "nhanh chóng" means "quickly." Other adverbs are formed by combining adjectives with other words, such as "hơi" (slightly) or "cực" (extremely).

In Vietnamese, adverbs typically come after the verb or adjective they modify, but they can also come before or even in between. The use of adverbs is flexible in Vietnamese, allowing speakers to convey precise meaning and express themselves creatively.

Types of Adverbs

Vietnamese adverbs can be divided into several categories based on their functions. Let's explore some of the most important types of adverbs:

Manner Adverbs

Manner adverbs describe how an action is performed. In Vietnamese, manner adverbs are commonly formed by adding "-ly" to adjectives. Here are some commonly used manner adverbs in Vietnamese:

Vietnamese	Pronunciation	English
Nhanh chóng	nyahn chohng	Quickly
Khéo léo	kyeho leh-oh	Skillfully
Vô tình	voh teeng	Inadvertently

Time Adverbs

Time adverbs describe when an action is performed. In Vietnamese, time adverbs can be formed by adding "-nay" or "-rồi" to nouns or "-đã" before verbs. Here are some commonly used time adverbs in Vietnamese:

Vietnamese	Pronunciation	English
Hôm nay	hohm nye	Today
Trưa nay	troo-ah nye	This noon
Mới đây	mwoy zaay	Recently

Frequency Adverbs

Frequency adverbs describe how often an action is performed. In Vietnamese, frequency adverbs are commonly formed by adding "-lần" to numbers or "-hằng" to nouns. Here are some commonly used frequency adverbs in Vietnamese:

Vietnamese	Pronunciation	English
Mỗi ngày	moy ngaay	Every day
Hai lần	haay lahn	Twice
Thường xuyên	toong swehn	Regularly

Degree Adverbs

Degree adverbs describe the intensity or extent of an action. In Vietnamese, degree adverbs are commonly formed by adding "-cực" to adjectives or "-vô cùng" to adjectives and adverbs. Here are some commonly used degree adverbs in Vietnamese:

Vietnamese	Pronunciation	English
Rất	raht	Very
Tuyệt vời	twyeh vo-ee	Wonderful
Phi thường	fee toong	Extraordinary

Final Thoughts

Adverbs are an essential part of communication in Vietnamese. By understanding the various types of adverbs and how to use them, you can greatly improve your ability to express yourself clearly and effectively in Vietnamese.

In our next lesson, we will explore another important area of Vietnamese grammar: verbs and verb tenses.

Sources

• Vietnamese Adverbs – YourVietnamese
• (PDF) Final Modals, Adverbs and Antisymmetry in Vietnamese
• Vietnamese basic grammar: sentence structure – YourVietnamese

Table of Contents - Vietnamese Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

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Greetings and Introductions

• Hello and Goodbye
• Introducing Yourself

  ---

Vietnamese Culture Basics

• Vietnamese Values
• Social Etiquette
• Cuisine and Dining

  ---

Numbers and Counting

• Counting 1-10
• Counting 11-20
• Counting 21 and Beyond

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Nouns and Gender
• Pronouns and Personal Pronouns
• Possessive Pronouns

  ---

Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Relationships

  ---

Holidays and Celebrations

• Tet
• Mid-Autumn Festival

  ---

Verbs and Verb Tenses

• Present Tense Verbs
• Past Tense Verbs
• Future Tense Verbs
• Modal Verbs

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Food and Drink

• Vietnamese Food
• Drinks and Beverages
• Food Ordering

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Arts and Entertainment

• Traditional Music
• Movie and Television

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Adjectives and Adverbs

• Adjectives
• Adverbs

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Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Giving Directions

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Traditional Clothing

• Ao Dai
• Other Traditional Clothing

Other Lessons

• Present Tense Verbs
• Future Tense
• Questions
• Plurals
• Ask Questions
• Nouns
• How to Use Have
• Adjectives
• Give your Opinion

◀️ Adjectives — Previous Lesson

Next Lesson — Modes of Transportation ▶️