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?