Adverbs of Manner
Adverbs of manner describe how something happens or how an action is performed.
These adverbs answer the question 'wie?' (how?) and modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.
This lesson covers common German adverbs of manner and how to use them correctly in sentences.
Explanation
Common adverbs of manner include: schnell (quickly), langsam (slowly), gut (well), schlecht (badly), vorsichtig (carefully).
Many German adverbs of manner are identical to their adjective forms: 'schnell' means both 'fast' (adjective) and 'quickly' (adverb).
Adverbs of manner usually come after the verb or at the end of the sentence: 'Er läuft schnell' (He runs quickly).
Adverbs don't change their form in German - they stay the same regardless of what they describe.
Common Adverbs of Manner
| Adverb | Meaning | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| schnell | quickly | Er läuft schnell. | He runs quickly. |
| langsam | slowly | Sie spricht langsam. | She speaks slowly. |
| gut | well | Er spielt gut. | He plays well. |
| schlecht | badly | Sie singt schlecht. | She sings badly. |
| vorsichtig | carefully | Er fährt vorsichtig. | He drives carefully. |
| sorgfältig | carefully | Sie arbeitet sorgfältig. | She works carefully. |
| leise | quietly | Er spricht leise. | He speaks quietly. |
| laut | loudly | Sie lacht laut. | She laughs loudly. |
| gerne | gladly/like to | Ich esse gerne Pizza. | I like to eat pizza. |
| sehr | very | Das ist sehr gut. | That is very good. |
Examples
Er läuft schnell.
He runs quickly.
Sie spricht langsam und deutlich.
She speaks slowly and clearly.
Er spielt gut Klavier.
He plays piano well.
Sie fährt vorsichtig Auto.
She drives carefully.
Ich esse gerne Pizza.
I like to eat pizza.
Das ist sehr interessant.
That is very interesting.
Common Mistakes
Er läuft schnelle
Er läuft schnell
Adverbs don't change their form. Use 'schnell', not 'schnelle'.
Sie spricht langsamme
Sie spricht langsam
Adverbs stay in base form. Use 'langsam', not 'langsamme'.
Ich mag gerne Pizza
Ich esse gerne Pizza
Use 'gerne' with verbs like 'essen', 'trinken', 'machen'. With 'mögen', you don't need 'gerne'.
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding with interactive exercises. Practice makes perfect!
Start Exercises →Related Topics
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know which article to use?
German articles (der, die, das) depend on the gender of the noun. While there are some patterns, many nouns must be memorized. Practice and exposure to German will help you learn them naturally.
What's the difference between definite and indefinite articles?
Definite articles (der, die, das) mean 'the' and refer to specific things. Indefinite articles (ein, eine) mean 'a/an' and refer to non-specific things. Both must match the noun's gender: use 'ein' for masculine/neuter and 'eine' for feminine.
Are there rules for determining noun gender?
While there are some helpful patterns (e.g., words ending in -ung are usually feminine), there are many exceptions. The best approach is to learn nouns with their articles from the beginning.
What happens if I use the wrong article?
While using the wrong article is a common mistake, native speakers will usually still understand you. However, using the correct article is important for sounding natural and fluent in German.