Adverbs
Words describing manner, place, time, or quantity. Most Czech adverbs are derived from adjectives.
Derivation from Adjectives
| Jaký? (Adjective) | Change | Jak? (Adverb) |
|---|---|---|
| dobrý | ý > e/ě | dobře |
| špatný | - | špatně |
| krásný | - | krásně |
| mladý | - | mladě |
| starý | r > ř (+e) | staře |
| drahý | h > z (+e) | draze |
| dlouhý | h > z (+e) | dlouze |
| hezký | zký > zky | hezky |
| český | ský > sky | česky |
| anglický | cký > cky | anglicky |
| jasný | ý > o | jasno |
| dlouhý | ý > o | dlouho |
Formation Rules
Standard Rule
The -ý or -í ending of the adjective is dropped, and -e or -ě is added.
Softening
Remember that -ě changes the consonant before it (d > ď, t > ť, n > ň, b > bě, v > vě, etc.).
Consonant Changes
k > c (krátký > krátce), ch > š (jednoduchý > jednoduše), r > ř (starý > staře), h > z (drahý > draze)
Shortening
The -cký, -ský, -zký endings are shortened to -cky, -sky, -zky (hezký > hezky, český > česky).
-o Ending
The -ý ending has an equivalent -o which is used for some words (daleký > daleko). Sometimes there is a difference in meaning between the -e and -o forms.
Did you know?
Most adverbs of manner answer the question Jak? (How?).