What is the last Russian lesson you learned so far? Now, let’s start learning about adverbs in Russian. In Russian language, the adverb is put before the verb. Maybe you already know that we use adverbs when we want to answer the question how (Как?), where (Где?), where (Куда?), from where (Откуда?), and when (Когда?). So, the adverb has a function to explain the verb and adjectives in Russian language. Adverbs don’t have gender, numbers, and tenses, that’s why it will remain the same in the sentences.
For example:
- Сегодня я читаю книгу.
(Segodnya ya chitayu knigu)
Today I’m reading a book.
Сегодня from this sentence answered the question Когда.
The Group Adverbs in Russan Language
Adverbs are divided into many classes or groups. Some of them are adverbs of time, adverbs of place, adverbs of purpose, and adverbs of the cause.
1. Adverbs of time
This adverb explains something repetitive and duration.
- Сегодня – today
- Иногда – sometimes
- Вчера – yesterday
- Тогда – then
- Потом – afterward
- Завтра – tomorrow
- Сначала – at first
- Всегда – always
- Поздно – late
- Обычно – usually
For example:
- Она всегда пьет молоко.
(Ona vsegda p’yet moloko)
She always drinks milk. - Сначала я ничего не понял.
(Snachala ya nichego ne ponyal)
At first I did not understand anything.
2. Adverbs of place
Most of these adverbs answer the question куда? and где?
- Там – there
- Здесь – here
- Вокруг – around
- Направо – on the right
- Далеко – far
- Рядом – beside
- Позади – behind
- Куда-нибудь – anywhere
- Напротив – across
- Близко – near
For example:
- Библиотека здесь.
(Biblioteka zdes’)
The library is here. - далеко мы сейчас от дома
(Daleko my seychas ot doma)
We are now far away from home
3. Adverb of reason or cause
It used to answer the question, why (почему?)
- Почему – why
- Поэтому – therefore
- Неспроста – for some reason
- Потому – therefore
For example:
- Мы неспроста заговорили о поездке.
(my nesprosta zagovorili o poyezdke)
we had a reason to talk about the trip.
4. Adverbs of Purpose
This is used to provide information about your purpose of speaking ‘for what?’
- зачем-то – for some reason
- затем – therefore
- нарочно – on purpose
- на смех – for fun
For Example:
- Затем она стала расспрашивать меня.
(zatem ona stala rassprashivat’ menya)
Therefore she began to question me.
The Adverbs Form From Adjective and Noun
Adverbs can be formed from adjectives by replacing the last word -ый/-ий with -о/-е:
Хороший –> Хорошо (good)
From the last word –ний/–ий to –е:
Средний –> Средне (middle)
It can also be formed from a noun:
Утро –> Утром (in the morning)
Overall, to have a good understanding you need to memorize any kind of adverbs and use it in the sentence. If you still find the Russian language is difficult, you can visit the 8 Easy ways to learn Russian language in a day, and get tips how to learn Russian online for free. Just keep practicing.