When learning Portuguese, it’s important to familiarize yourself with adverbs of duration, as they play a significant role in expressing the length or duration of an action or event. Adverbs of duration provide information about how long something lasts or how often it occurs. In this guide, we will explore the basics of Portuguese adverbs of duration, including their formation, usage, and examples.
Formation of Adverbs of Duration in Portuguese
In Portuguese, adverbs of duration are generally formed by adding the suffix “-mente” to the feminine form of an adjective. The feminine form is used because the adverb modifies the verb, which is typically neutral in gender. For example:
Rápido (fast) becomes rapidamente (quickly)
Devagar (slow) becomes devagarmente (slowly)
Feliz (happy) becomes felizmente (happily)
It’s important to note that not all adverbs of duration are formed using this suffix. Some adverbs have unique forms or irregular formations. It is essential to learn these adverbs individually as you encounter them in your studies.
Usage of Adverbs of Duration in Portuguese
Adverbs of duration are used to indicate how long an action or event lasts. They answer questions such as “how long?” or “for how much time?” They can be used with various verb tenses and are often placed directly after the verb in a sentence.
Let’s take a look at some example sentences to understand the usage of adverbs of duration in Portuguese:
Eu estudei intensamente para o exame. (I studied intensively for the exam.)
In this sentence, “intensamente” (intensively) describes how the action of studying was performed, indicating that the speaker studied with great intensity. The adverb is placed after the verb “estudei” (studied).
Ela dormiu profundamente durante a noite. (She slept deeply during the night.)
Here, “profundamente” (deeply) provides information about how the action of sleeping occurred. It indicates that the person slept in a deep manner. The adverb is placed after the verb “dormiu” (slept).
Eles correm constantemente no parque. (They run constantly in the park.)
In this sentence, “constantemente” (constantly) specifies the frequency or duration of the action of running. It suggests that the individuals run without interruption or regularly. The adverb is placed after the verb “correm” (run).
Nós esperamos pacientemente pela nossa vez. (We waited patiently for our turn.)
The adverb “pacientemente” (patiently) describes the manner in which the action of waiting was carried out. It implies that the individuals waited with patience. The adverb is placed after the verb “esperamos” (waited).
Ele trabalha diligentemente todos os dias. (He works diligently every day.)
Here, “diligentemente” (diligently) expresses the manner or intensity with which the action of working is performed. It indicates that the person works with dedication and care. The adverb is placed after the verb “trabalha” (works).
As you can see from these examples, adverbs of duration provide important details about the way actions are performed, giving insights into the intensity, frequency, or duration of an activity.
Common Adverbs of Duration in Portuguese
Now, let’s explore some common adverbs of duration in Portuguese along with their English translations:
Sempre – Always
Ela sempre chega cedo à aula. (She always arrives early to class.)
Nunca – Never
Eu nunca fui ao Japão. (I have never been to Japan.)
Raramente – Rarely
Nós raramente saímos à noite. (We rarely go out at night.)
Frequentemente – Frequently
Ele visita sua família frequentemente. (He visits his family frequently.)
Às vezes – Sometimes
Às vezes, eu gosto de ficar em casa e relaxar. (Sometimes, I like to stay at home and relax.)
Diariamente – Daily
Ela pratica esportes diariamente. (She practices sports daily.)
Anualmente – Annually
A conferência acontece anualmente. (The conference takes place annually.)
Breve – Briefly
Vou te explicar o conceito brevemente. (I will explain the concept briefly to you.)
These adverbs can be used in various contexts to provide information about the duration or frequency of an action.
In conclusion, adverbs of duration are an essential component of the Portuguese language, as they allow us to express how long an action lasts or how often it occurs. By adding the suffix “-mente” to the feminine form of an adjective, we can form many adverbs of duration. However, it’s important to note that some adverbs have unique forms or irregular formations, which need to be learned individually. Adverbs of duration are typically placed after the verb in a sentence and provide valuable insights into the manner, intensity, frequency, or duration of an action. By mastering adverbs of duration, you will be able to express yourself more accurately and fluently in Portuguese.
Originally posted 2023-07-15 00:56:51.