About Adverb
Adverbs play a very important role in Japanese grammar. They are a part of speech used to provide detailed explanations about other words. Specifically, adverbs modify "yogen" which refers to verbs, adjectives, and adjectival nouns, whereas "taigen" refers to nouns.
Example Sentences and Usage
Here are some examples of how adverbs are used in Japanese:
- ゆっくり歩く
- きらきらひかる
- 彼はしばらく待った
- 景色がはっきりと見える
- ずいぶん遠い
- このビルはかなり高い
- 私はときどき心配になる
- 湖面がとても静かだ
In these examples, the adverbs provide detailed explanations about the words that follow. For instance, in expressions like "walk slowly" or "walk aimlessly," the adverbs detail "how" the walking is done.
Characteristics of Adverbs
No Conjugation: While the forms of verbs and adjectives change depending on the words that follow, the form of an adverb does not change. For example, the adverb "slowly" does not change to "slowa" or "slowo."
Adverbial Modifier: Adverbs are classified as words that modify "yogen" (verbs, adjectives, adjectival nouns). This classification is referred to as adverbial modifiers. On the other hand, adnominal words that modify "taigen" (nouns) are called adnominal modifiers.
Independent Words: Adverbs are independent words, meaning they have a meaning on their own. Conversely, dependent words, which do not have a meaning on their own, include particles and auxiliary verbs.
Often Written in Hiragana: Adverbs are usually written in hiragana. This is because many adverbs include kanji that are not listed on the common use kanji chart.
List of Adverbs
Here are some examples of adverbs in Japanese. Try to imagine what kind of words would follow these adverbs.
- そっと
- もっと
- すぐに
- ゆっくり
- さっと
- たちまち
- やや
- ごく
- とても
- そろそろ
- ずっと
- まっすぐ
- もちろん
- きっと
- しばらく
- たいてい
- とうてい
- まるで
- すでに
Softly, more, immediately, slowly, quickly, instantly, somewhat, very, very, gradually, all the time, straight, of course, surely, for a while, usually, never, just like, already
Types of Adverbs
Adverbs can be classified into three categories based on their usage: adverbs of state, adverbs of degree, and adverbs of correspondence.
(1) Adverbs of State
Adverbs of state describe the condition or manner of an action. They explain in detail how an action is performed.
Onomatopoeic words and mimetic words are also included in adverbs of state. Onomatopoeic words are words created by imitating sounds, such as the rumbling of "gorogoro" or the sparkling of "pikapika". Mimetic words are words that represent the state of things, such as the sparkling of "kirakira" or the briskness of "tekpaki".
Examples of Adverbs of State The turtle appeared slowly. The hair is fluttering smoothly. It sparkles. The toddler walks wobbly. The dog barks loudly. Mashing food. The baby cries loudly.
(2) Adverbs of Degree
Adverbs of degree describe the extent or degree of a state or quality. They explain how much or to what extent something is the case.
Examples of Adverbs of Degree
- この結果はきわめて残念だ。
- 賞の受賞はたいへん嬉しかった。
- 彼女の飼っている犬はとてもかわいい。
- ずいぶん面白いことを言うんだなあ。
- 彼女の容姿はひときわ目を引く。
- 彼は少々乱暴なところがある。
- 今日の準備は結構大変だったんだよ。
- 彼女は成長するにつれて一段と美しくなった。
Although adverbs mainly modify verbs, adverbs of degree can sometimes modify nouns or other adverbs, so be careful.
The renovation of the hall was quite a while ago. Next time, walk more slowly.
In the examples, the adverb of degree "quite" modifies the noun "before," and the adverb of degree "more" modifies the adverb "slowly."
(3) Adverbs of Correspondence (Adverbs of Statement, Descriptive Adverbs)
Adverbs of correspondence are adverbs that require a specific expression to follow the words they modify.
For example, in the sentence "There is no way to win," what follows the part "●●"? Since the sentence starts with "masaka~," "〜nai" follows. This means that expressions like "masaka〜nai" and "kesshite〜nai" are adverbs of correspondence because the following words are fixed.
There are seven types of adverbs of correspondence: questions (irony), speculation, hypothetical conditions, negation, negated speculation, analogy, and desire. We will explain the characteristics and examples of each.
① Negation
He never mentions retirement. I can't match his efforts at all.
After the adverbs of correspondence "kesshite〜" and "toutai〜," it is fixed that the negation "〜nai" will follow to negate and cancel the previous words.
② Speculation
He will probably come if he waits another 30 minutes. He probably won't go back to the original.
After the adverbs of speculation "tabun〜" and "osoraku〜," it is fixed that the word "〜darou" will follow to infer the circumstances or feelings of the previous words.
③ Hypothetical
Even if opposed, I will not give up. Even if I can only live for one more year, I will always be by your side.
After the hypothetical adverbs "tatoe〜" and "moshi〜," it is fixed that the word "〜temo" will follow to decide on something even if the previous words are uncertain.
④ Questions
Why are you here? Why are you in such a hurry?
After the question adverbs "naze〜" and "doushite〜," it is fixed that the word "〜no" will follow to question and inquire about the previous words.
⑤ Desire
Please listen to my wish. I really want you to hear my appeal.
After the adverbs of desire "douka〜" and "zehi〜," it is fixed that the words "〜kudasai" or "〜hoshii" will follow to express a desire for the realization of the previous words.
⑥ Analogy
Her movements are like a butterfly. She had skin as clear as a French doll.
After the analogy adverbs "marude〜" and "choudo〜," it is fixed that the word "〜youda" will follow to represent the previous words by analogy.
⑦ Negated Speculation
There is no way to win.
After the negated speculation adverb "masaka〜," it is fixed that the words "〜nai darou" will follow to negate (〜nai) and infer (〜darou) the previous words.
Understanding and Identifying Adverbs
To identify adverbs, a key point to remember is to look for verbs, adjectives, and adjectival verbs (a type of verb in Japanese). It's important to distinguish them from adjectives that modify nouns.
In Japanese, verbs, adjectives, and adjectival verbs are referred to as '用言' (yōgen), while nouns are referred to as '体言' (taigen).
For example, in the sentence:
しばらく会わないうちにずいぶん大きくなったね。
The word 'しばらく' (for a while) modifies '会わない' (haven't seen), which is a verb, and 'ずいぶん' (so much) modifies '大きく' (grown), which is an adjective. Therefore, both 'しばらく' and 'ずいぶん' are adverbs.
Position of Adverbs
Adverbs are usually placed before verbs.
However, while most adverbs are placed before verbs, there are exceptions where adverbs modify nouns or other adverbs, so be careful.
Exceptions to the Position of Adverbs
Consider the examples:
ずいぶん前の話だ。 もっとしっかり書きなさい。
In these examples, the adverb 'ずいぶん' (a lot) modifies the noun phrase '前の' (from a long time ago), and the adverb 'もっと' (more) modifies the adverb 'しっかり' (carefully).
Summary of the Position of Adverbs
Adverbs usually come before verbs. However, there are cases where they are positioned before nouns or other adverbs, so be careful.
Conclusion
We have explained adverbs, and the key points to remember are:
- Adverbs mainly modify verbs.
- Adverbs provide detailed meanings.
- Adverbs do not conjugate.