Grammar

Forming Adverbs

While many Turkish adverbs are standalone words or identical to adjectives, some can be formed using suffixes or specific constructions.

1. Using Adjectives as Adverbs:

Many adjectives can function as adverbs without any change in form. Their function is determined by their position and what they modify.

  • Hızlı araba. (Fast car. - Adjective)
  • Araba hızlı gidiyor. (The car is going quickly. - Adverb)
  • Güzel konuştu. (He/She spoke beautifully.)

2. Suffix -ce / -ca / -çe / -ça:

This suffix can be added to some nouns or adjectives to form adverbs, often indicating "in a ... manner" or "according to." It follows A-Type vowel harmony and consonant assimilation.

  • yavaş (slow) → yavaşça (slowly)
  • iyi (good) → iyice (thoroughly, well)
  • gizli (secret) → gizlice (secretly)
  • bence (in my opinion, according to me) (from ben - I)
  • Türkçe (in Turkish, Turkish language) (from Türk - Turk)

3. Reduplication:

Repeating an adjective or adverb can create an adverbial sense, often intensifying the meaning.

  • hızlı hızlı (very quickly)
  • yavaş yavaş (very slowly, gradually)
  • güzel güzel (nicely, beautifully)

4. Using Gerunds:

As covered in the verbs section, gerunds (e.g., with -erek/-arak, -ip/-ıp) function as adverbs or adverbial clauses modifying the main verb.

  • Koşarak geldi. (He came running/by running.)

Practice Zone

1. If 'yavaş' means 'slow', how can you say 'slowly' using a common adverb-forming suffix?