Adverb

Potential content

  • Can't be reduplicated (although reduplicated adjectives can be converted into adverbs with 地, e.g. 急急匆匆地).
  • Can't be used as answers to questions.
  • Can't modify nouns.
  • Can't precede subjects (in general).
  • Some adverbs can function as linking words (conjunctions). E.g. 就
  • Always appear before a verb or adjective.
  • Adverbs with logical function
  • 白 ... 了
  • 半 ... 半 ...
  • Difference between:
    • 原来, 本来
    • 不必, 未必, 何必
    • 不免, 难免
    • 毕竟, 到底, 究竟
    • 就, 才
    • 差点儿, 几乎
    • 常常, 往往
    • 从来, 始终
    • 倒, 反而
    • 多亏, 幸亏
    • 分明, 明明
    • 赶紧, 赶快, 赶忙, 连忙
    • 刚, 刚刚, 刚才
    • 果然, 竟然, 居然
    • 好像, 似乎
    • 突然, 忽然
    • 千万, 万万, 万一
    • 太, 挺, 真
    • 特别, 尤其
    • 偷偷, 悄悄
    • 一点儿, 有点儿
    • 一直, 总是
    • 只好, 不得不


  • Some adverbs can be used as answers to questions, such as 不, 没有, 也许 and 可能 etc.
  • Nearly all adverbs occur as adverbials (in front of the verb) but a couple can occur as complements (after the noun), such as 极了 and 得很.

Sources