Adverbs from adjectives: γρήγορος → γρήγορα
Greek makes an adverb from an adjective in one move: take the neuter plural form, that is, the ending -α. γρήγορος → γρήγορα, καλός → καλά, εύκολος → εύκολα, σίγουρος → σίγουρα. For example: “Οδηγεί πολύ γρήγορα στη στροφή” — He takes the turn very fast. A rule from the Greek course: worked out on examples, not memorized as a wording.
How it works
Greek makes an adverb from an adjective in one move: take the neuter plural form, that is, the ending -α (-a). γρήγορος (grígoros) → γρήγορα (grígora), καλός (kalós) → καλά (kalá), εύκολος → εύκολα (éfkola), σίγουρος (síguros) → σίγουρα (sígura).
Because of this the adverb looks exactly like a neuter plural, and only the seat in the sentence tells them apart: τα γρήγορα αυτοκίνητα (ta grígora aftokínita) — fast cars, οδηγεί γρήγορα (odiyí grígora) — he drives fast. A mistake is hard to make here: next to a noun it is an adjective, next to a verb an adverb.
There is a small bookish set in -ως (-os): κυρίως (mainly), ακριβώς (exactly), τελείως (completely), βεβαίως (certainly). It lives in written speech and in notices; in conversation the same words usually take -α.
For one pair the two forms mean different things, and it is worth learning at once: απλά (aplá) — simply, plainly; απλώς (aplós) — merely. Το είπα απλά (I put it simply) and Απλώς το είπα (I merely said it).
The comparative is built with the same πιο (pio): πιο γρήγορα (pio grígora), πιο συχνά (pio sikhná). There are only a few irregulars: καλά → καλύτερα (kalítera), πολύ (polí) → περισσότερο (perisótero), λίγο (lígo) → λιγότερο (ligótero).
Table
| adjective | adverb | in English |
|---|---|---|
| γρήγορος | γρήγορα | quickly |
| καλός | καλά | well |
| εύκολος | εύκολα | easily |
| σπάνιος | σπάνια | rarely |
| ακριβής | ακριβώς | exactly |
By example
- Οδηγεί πολύ γρήγορα στη στροφήodiyí polí grígora sti strofíHe takes the turn very fast
- Απάντησε αμέσως και σωστάapándise amésos ke sostáHe answered at once, and correctly
- Πες μου ακριβώς τι έγινεpes mu akrivós ti éyineTell me exactly what happened
How the rule settles in your head
A rule is not memorized from an explanation. It is memorized from an attempt to use it and a mistake — that is why the app delivers it mixed in with words, not as a separate lesson: it resurfaces exactly where you forgot it.
Frequently asked
Adverbs from adjectives: how does it work in Greek?
Greek makes an adverb from an adjective in one move: take the neuter plural form, that is, the ending -α. γρήγορος → γρήγορα, καλός → καλά, εύκολος → εύκολα, σίγουρος → σίγουρα.
What does it look like in an example sentence Greek?
“Οδηγεί πολύ γρήγορα στη στροφή” (odiyí polí grígora sti strofí) — He takes the turn very fast. A rule is easier to test on sentences like this than to memorize as a wording: what surfaces in conversation is the sentence.