Lesson 3: Common Adverbs
Modifying Verbs and Adjectives
You know how to describe an action with a verb (like 'walk') and a thing with an adjective (like 'beautiful'). But how do you describe the *action itself*? Do you walk quickly or slowly? How beautiful is it? To add this detail, we use a special type of word called an adverb1. This lesson will introduce two important types: adverbs of manner and adverbs of degree.
Adverbs of Manner (How an action is done)
These adverbs usually answer the question "How?". Many end in "-ly".
| quickly2 | យ៉ាងរហ័ស | At a fast speed. Example: "He eats his breakfast quickly." |
| slowly3 | យឺតៗ | At a slow speed. Example: "Please speak slowly." |
| carefully4 | យ៉ាងប្រុងប្រយ័ត្ន | With great attention to avoid mistakes. Example: "She drove carefully in the rain." |
| loudly5 | ខ្លាំងៗ | Making a lot of noise. Example: "The music is playing too loudly." |
| quietly6 | ស្ងាត់ៗ | Making very little noise. Example: "He closed the door quietly." |
Adverbs of Degree (How much?)
These adverbs tell us the intensity of an adjective or another adverb.
| quite7 | គួរសម | Moderately; more than 'a little'. Example: "The test was quite difficult." |
| very8 | ណាស់ | To a high degree. Example: "It is very hot today." |
| extremely9 | យ៉ាងខ្លាំង | To a very, very high degree. Example: "Angkor Wat is extremely beautiful." |
Usage Note: Where to Place Adverbs
The position of an adverb is important.
- Adverbs of Manner (like *quickly, carefully*) usually go after the verb or at the end of the phrase.
Example: "He speaks quietly." - Adverbs of Degree (like *very, quite*) go before the adjective or adverb they are describing.
Examples: "She is very kind." "He runs extremely quickly."
In Conversation
Bora and Srey are talking about a football match they watched.
Bora: Did you see the match last night? It was extremely exciting!
Srey: Yes! Our team played very well. They passed the ball so quickly.
Bora: I agree. The other team started slowly. They were not playing carefully at the beginning.
Srey: And our fans were shouting so loudly! The other fans were sitting very quietly at the end.
Bora: It was a quite amazing game to watch.
quiz Check Your Understanding
1. Which word describes *how* you do an action?
- a) very
- b) slowly
- c) extremely
Click to see the answer
Answer: b) slowly (This is an adverb of manner).
2. Choose the correct sentence.
- a) He is happy very.
- b) He very is happy.
- c) He is very happy.
Click to see the answer
Answer: c) He is very happy. (The adverb of degree comes before the adjective).
3. Please don't shout. Can you speak more ______?
- a) quietly
- b) loudly
- c) quickly
Click to see the answer
Answer: a) quietly
edit Your Mission
- My Actions: Describe three things you do. Use an adverb of manner for each. (e.g., "I eat my lunch slowly. I walk carefully across the street.")
- My Opinions: Write two sentences describing something using an adverb of degree. (e.g., "My English is quite good." "The weather in April is extremely hot.")
- Speak: Your mission is to use one adverb of manner and one adverb of degree in a conversation today. (e.g., "I quickly finished my work because it was very easy.")
book Lesson Glossary
- Adverb (noun) - Khmer: គុណកិរិយា - A word that describes a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. ↩
- quickly (adverb) - Khmer: យ៉ាងរហ័ស - At a fast speed. ↩
- slowly (adverb) - Khmer: យឺតៗ - At a slow speed. ↩
- carefully (adverb) - Khmer: យ៉ាងប្រុងប្រយ័ត្ន - With great attention. ↩
- loudly (adverb) - Khmer: ខ្លាំងៗ - Making a lot of noise. ↩
- quietly (adverb) - Khmer: ស្ងាត់ៗ - Making very little noise. ↩
- quite (adverb) - Khmer: គួរសម - Moderately, to a certain extent. ↩
- very (adverb) - Khmer: ណាស់ - To a high degree. ↩
- extremely (adverb) - Khmer: យ៉ាងខ្លាំង - To a very, very high degree. ↩