Forms and Functions of Czech Adverbs of Degree

Czech adverbs of degree can be divided into three main categories:

1. Intensifiers: These adverbs increase the intensity ascribed to the adjectives, adverbs, or verbs they accompany. Common intensifiers include:

• velmi (very)
• moc (much, a lot)
• hodně (quite, pretty)
• příliš (too)

Example:

Je velmi chytrý. (He is very intelligent.)

2. Attenuators: In contrast to intensifiers, attenuators diminish the force of the word they modify. Common attenuators in Czech include:

• trochu (a bit, a little)
• málo (little, few)
• skoro (almost, nearly)
• stěží (hardly, barely)

Example:

Jsem trochu unavený. (I am a little tired.)

3. Amplifiers: Amplifiers are used to denote the upper or highest level of a quality or action, often adding a sense of excessiveness or extreme. Some common amplifiers are:

• nejvíce (most)
• absolutně (absolutely)
• zákonitě (inevitably)
• beznadějně (hopelessly)

Example:

Je to absolutně nejlepší film. (It’s absolutely the best movie.)

Position of Adverbs of Degree in Czech Sentences

In Czech grammar, adverbs of degree typically appear before the word they modify, whether it’s an adjective, adverb, or verb. However, some flexibility may occur, particularly in spoken language. For example:

Ten zápas byl skoro vyprodaný. (That match was almost sold out.)

In this sentence, «skoro» is placed before the adjective «vyprodaný» it modifies. However, in spoken Czech, one might hear:

Ten zápas byl vyprodaný skoro.

Formation and Comparison of Czech Adverbs of Degree

Many Czech adverbs of degree are derived from adjectives. The basic structure involves taking the adjective in its masculine singular form and replacing the «-ý» or «-í» ending with «-ě»

For example:

• pomalý (slow) = pomale (slowly)
• hloupý (stupid) = hloupe (stupidly)

Adverbs of manner, like adjectives, can be compared using three degrees of comparison: positive, comparative, and superlative. Comparative and superlative adverb forms can be created by following this pattern:

Comparative: Adjective + «-eji» or «-ěji»

Superlative: «nej-» + Adjective + «-eji» or «-ěji»

For example:

• Positive: rychle (fast) → Comparative: rychleji (faster) → Superlative: nejrychleji (fastest)
• Positive: lehce (lightly) → Comparative: láčněji (more lightly) → Superlative: nejláčněji (most lightly)

Adverbs of Degree and Negation in Czech

Negation plays an essential role in the context of Czech adverbs of degree. The most common and basic way to negate a Czech sentence is with the particle «ne» before the verb:

Nejí rybu. (They don’t eat fish.)

In the context of adverbs, the negative particle «není» (is not) or «nejsou» (are not) often appears alongside an adverb of degree, modifying its meaning. For example:

Jeho čeština není špatná. (His Czech is not bad.)

To further emphasize the negation, the adverb of degree «vůbec» (at all) can be added:

Jeho čeština není vůbec špatná. (His Czech is not bad at all.)

Conclusion

Adverbs of degree in Czech grammar significantly contribute to the language’s expressive richness, allowing speakers to convey the intensity of actions, states or qualities accurately. A comprehensive understanding of their forms, functions, positioning, and usage is indispensable for mastering Czech.