Lesson 19: Adverbs and adverb placement

Adverbs describe how or how often an action happens. In Vietnamese, their position depends on the type of information they provide.

Post-Verb Manner

Words that describe how an action is done (quality) usually go after the verb.

Anh ấy chạy nhanh.
"He runs fast."

Em nói chậm thôi.
"Speak slowly please."

Pre-Verb Frequency

Words describing how often something happens usually go before the verb.

Tôi thường đi bộ.
"I often walk."

Họ ít khi ăn tối ở ngoài.
"They rarely eat out."

Double Words for Emphasis

Vietnamese frequently repeats an adverb (reduplication) to soften the meaning or make it more vivid.

Đi thong thả.
"Go leisurely/calmly."

Flexible Quality Words

Many adverbs are simply adjectives used in new spots. Nhanh means "fast" (adjective) or "quickly" (adverb) depending on where it sits.

Xe nhanh. (Adjective)
Chạy nhanh. (Adverb)

Examples

Bạn làm việc rất giỏi.
"You work very well."

Con mèo ngủ ngon.
"The cat sleeps soundly."

Chúng tôi hay gặp nhau.
"We frequently meet each other."

Note on nuance

Pay attention to the rhythm: frequency first, action second, manner last. This pattern helps you naturally place descriptive words in the right spot.