Composite Adverbs

Composite adverbs, or avverbi composti, are created by combining two or more different words to create one adverb.

We can take, for example, the commonly used adverb inoltre, which combines the preposition in and the adverb oltre to create one adverb meaning moreover, also, additionally, besides, as well, what is more. Inoltre is an adverb with a positive connotation, as in this sentence:

Ho comprato inoltre due biglietti per il concerto di stasera. I also bought two tickets for the concert tonight.

Following is a list of commonly used, composite adverbs, which is by no means exhaustive.

adagio

L’uomo col bastone andava adagio attraverso la folla. The man with the cane went slowly through the crowd.

almeno

C’erano almeno cento persone all’inaugurazione. At least a hundred people attended the opening. Dovremmo cercare di contattarlo almeno una volta prima di andare via. We should try to contact him at least once before leaving.

appena

La conosco appena. I barely know her. Ci siamo appena conosciuti. We just met.

appunto

Le cose sono andate appunto come pensavo. Things went exactly as I thought they would.

dappertutto

La incontro dappertutto. I run into her everywhere. La casa era abbandonata da tempo e c’era polvere dappertutto. The house had long been abandoned and there was dust everywhere.

davvero

Davvero hai imparato a parlare il giapponese in due mesi? Did you really learn how to speak Japanese in two months?

inoltre

Per suonare bene il violino ci vuole talento, e inoltre molta disciplina. It takes talent to play the violin well, as well as a great deal of discipline.

insieme

Dobbiamo lavorare insieme per un futuro sostenibile. We must work together for a sustainable future.

ormai

Ormai sarà arrivata in Spagna. By now she will have arrived in Spain.

perfino/persino

Persino dopo aver visto le prove, si rifiutava di ammettere la colpevolezza di suo fratello. Even after being presented with the evidence, he refused to admit his brother was guilty. Perfino i ricchi protestano contro la nuova legge. Even rich people are protesting the new law.

perlopiù

Ci vediamo perlopiù il venerdì sera. We usually see each other on Friday night.

purtroppo

Purtroppo ho smarrito il suo biglietto da visita. Unfortunately I misplaced his business card.

soprattutto

Mi piace molto nuotare, soprattutto al mattino. I love to swim, especially in the morning.

talvolta

Mi capita talvolta di passare davanti alla tua vecchia casa. I happen sometimes to walk by your old house.