{"id":118405,"date":"2023-05-03T14:31:39","date_gmt":"2023-05-03T18:31:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/french-adverbs\/"},"modified":"2025-02-03T00:50:13","modified_gmt":"2025-02-03T05:50:13","slug":"french-adverbs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/french\/french-adverbs\/","title":{"rendered":"110 French Adverbs and How to Use Them"},"content":{"rendered":"

Adverbs<\/strong> are words that describe verbs or adjectives<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

For example, in the sentence: “Jacque ran quickly\u00a0<\/strong>through a very <\/strong>big library,” both “very<\/strong>” and “quickly<\/strong>” are adverbs.<\/p>\n

Adverbs help you be more clear in your sentences, helping imbue your French with expressiveness and nuance.<\/p>\n

In this post you’ll learn 110 common French adverbs<\/strong> you can start using right away, along with how to form French adverbs and where to place them in sentences.<\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Adverbs of time<\/h2>\n

An adverb of time clarifies when a specific action is taking place. An adverb of time generally answers the question quand<\/em> \u00a0(when) in French sentences. Check out some examples below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
French<\/strong><\/th>English<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Aujourd'hui <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Today<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bient\u00f4t <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Soon<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D\u00e9j\u00e0 <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Already<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Demain <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Tomorrow<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D\u00e9sormais <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>From now on<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Enfin <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Finally<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hier <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Yesterday<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Imm\u00e9diatement <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Immediately<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Longtemps <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>For a long time<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Maintenant <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Now<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
R\u00e9cemment <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Recently<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Soudainement <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Suddenly<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tard <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Late, later<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
T\u00f4t <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Early<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Adverbs of manner<\/h2>\n

An adverb of manner tells us the manner in which or how something occurs. This adverb answers the question comment<\/em> \u00a0(how) in French. Let’s check out some adverbs of manner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
French<\/strong><\/th>English<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Ainsi <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Like this<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bravement <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Bravely<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ensemble <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Together<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Heureusement <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Fortunately<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lentement <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Slowly<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Malheureusement <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Unfortunately<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pr\u00e9cis\u00e9ment <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Precisely<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Professionnellement <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Professionally<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Prudemment <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Carefully<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rapidement <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Quickly<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Suffisamment <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Sufficiently<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vite <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Quickly<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vraiment <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Truly<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Adverbs of place<\/h2>\n

An adverb of place describes the location where an action occurs. It answers the question of o\u00f9<\/em> \u00a0(where) in French. Take a look at the most common adverbs of place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
French<\/strong><\/th>English<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Ailleurs <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Elsewhere<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dedans <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Inside<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dehors <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Outside<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Derri\u00e8re <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Behind<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Devant <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>In front of<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
En bas <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Below<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
En haut <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>High<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ici <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Here<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
L\u00e0 <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>There<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Loin <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Far<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
N'importe o\u00f9 <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Anywhere<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Partout <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Everywhere<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pr\u00e8s <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Close<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Adverbs of quantity<\/h2>\n

The adverbs of quantity in French let us know how much or how many of something there is. These adverbs answer the question combien<\/em> \u00a0(how much\/how many) in French.<\/p>\n

Not that these adverbs can come before nouns. In this case, they often take the word de<\/em> \u00a0<\/em>(of) without their definite article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
French<\/strong><\/th>English<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Assez <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Quite, fairly<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Autant <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>As much, as many<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Beaucoup <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>A lot<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Compl\u00e8tement <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Completely<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Davantage <\/a>\n <\/em> <\/td>More<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Environ <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Approximately<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Moins <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Less<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Peu <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>A little<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Plus <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>More<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Seulement <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Only<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tant <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>So much, so many<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tellement <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>So<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tr\u00e8s <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Very<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Trop <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Too much<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Adverbs of frequency<\/h2>\n

An adverb of frequency<\/a> lets us know how often an action occurs. Unlike adverbs of time, these don’t necessarily focus on a specific time. Rather, they focus on a time cycle where an action happens repeatedly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
French<\/strong><\/th>English<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
D'habitude <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Usually<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Encore <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Again<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fr\u00e9quemment <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Frequently<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Habituellement <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Usually<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Occasionnellement <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Occasionally<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Parfois <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Sometimes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Quelquefois <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Sometimes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rarement <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Rarely<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Souvent <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Often<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Toujours <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Always<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Adverbs of affirmation<\/h2>\n

An adverb of affirmation adds credibility to an action. They’re used to back something up or affirm that something is true or correct. Let’s dive into the most common adverbs of affirmation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
French<\/strong><\/th>English<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Apparemment <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Apparently<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Assur\u00e9ment <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Definitely<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Certainement <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Certainly<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Certes <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Certainly<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Effectivement <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Indeed, actually<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00c9videmment <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Evidently<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Immanquablement <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Inevitably<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sans doute <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Without a doubt<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
S\u00fbrement <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Surely<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vraisemblablement <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>In all likelihood<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Adverbs of negation<\/h2>\n

An adverb of negation adds an element of the negative to an action. In fact, these adverbs are the most common way to make an entire sentence negative, and many of these adverbs have two particles (two words).<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
French<\/strong><\/th>English<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Ne ... aucunement <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Not at all<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ne ... gu\u00e8re <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Hardly<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ne ... jamais <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Never<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ne ... nullement <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Not in any way<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ne ... nulle part <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Nowhere<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ne ... pas <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Not<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ne ... pas encore <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Not yet<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ne ... personne <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>No one<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ne ... plus <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Not anymore<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ne ... rien <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Nothing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Adverbs of doubt<\/h2>\n

Opposite to an adverb of affirmation, an adverb of doubt shows that the speaker is not so sure of an action. These are used to make something seem questionable as to whether it is true or correct. Take a look at the most common adverbs of doubt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
French<\/strong><\/th>English<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Avec h\u00e9sitation <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>With hesitation, doubtfully<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D'un air de doute <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Doubtfully<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hypoth\u00e9tiquement <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Hypothetically<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Peut-\u00eatre <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Surely<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Possiblement <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Possibly<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Probablement <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Probably<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Adverbs of question and exclamation<\/h2>\n

An adverb of question is almost like a secret adverb. In fact, many people don’t know that question words are adverbs! They can be followed by est-ce que<\/em> \u00a0or subject-verb inversion to ask a question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
French<\/strong><\/th>English<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Combien <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>How much, how many<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Comment <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>How<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
O\u00f9 <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Where<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pourquoi <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Why<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Quand <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>When<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Que <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>What<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Qui <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Who<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

An adverb of exclamation\u2014or simply an exclamation\u2014are words that show extreme emotion. These can show anger, shock, sadness or relief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t
French<\/strong><\/th>English<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Comme <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>How<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Que <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>How<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Quoi <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>What<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Relative and comparative adverbs<\/h2>\n

Relative adverbs are tricky ones. Sometimes, they’re question words, and while they mean the same thing as question words, they’re not necessarily asking a question. Instead, relative adverbs join two clauses\u2014or two independent thoughts\u2014to create a single sentence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
French<\/strong><\/th>English<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Combien <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>How much, how many<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Comment <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>How<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
O\u00f9 <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Where<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pourquoi <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Why<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Quand <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>When<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Que <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>That<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Qui <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>That, who<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

A comparative adverb is an easier one to understand: it compares two or more things. Oftentimes, these adverbs come in two parts with the word que<\/em> \u00a0(than) joining the things being compared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t
French<\/strong><\/th>English<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Aussi ... que <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>As... as<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Moins ... que <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Less... than<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Plus ... que <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>More... than<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

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