Adverbs
How to say well, fast, often: build an adverb in -α, recognise the -ως ones, and the little words of place and time.
From adjective to adverb: -α
Take the adjective’s neuter plural: καλός → καλά, γρήγορος → γρήγορα, ωραίος → ωραία. It is Greek’s most productive adverb factory.
- Μιλάς πολύ γρήγορα!You speak very fast!
The -ως adverbs
Inherited from the formal register, now fixed in everyday speech: ακριβώς (exactly), ευτυχώς (fortunately), δυστυχώς (unfortunately), συνήθως (usually), επίσης (also). Useful nuance: καλά = well; καλώς lives in set phrases (καλώς ήρθες!).
Place and time: the essentials
These aren’t built, they’re learned: εδώ/εκεί (here/there), πάνω/κάτω (up/down), μέσα/έξω (in/out), κοντά/μακριά (near/far) — τώρα, μετά, πριν, πάντα, ποτέ, συχνά, νωρίς, αργά.
| τόπος | χρόνος |
|---|---|
| εδώ — εκεί | τώρα — μετά |
| πάνω — κάτω | πριν — αργότερα |
| μέσα — έξω | πάντα — ποτέ |
| κοντά — μακριά | νωρίς — αργά |
Comparing with πιο
Just like adjectives: πιο + adverb. Μίλα πιο αργά — speak more slowly. The -ότερα form exists (γρηγορότερα), but πιο is the simplest path and always correct.
Your turn
Adjective or adverb? Choose the correct form.