An adverb (avverbio) is a word that modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. In English, adverbs are often formed by adding the suffix -ly to adjectives: slowly, softly, surely. Adverbs often answer the question come? (how?), quando? (when?), or dove? (where?):
Luciano agisce lentamente. (Luciano acts slowly.)
Leonardo viene tardi. (Leonardo comes late.)
Usciamo adesso. (We’re leaving now.)
Ci andiamo a giugno. (We are going there in June.)
In Italian, many adverbs are formed by adding the ending -mente to the singular feminine form of the adjective.
FORMING ADVERBS IN ITALIAN
 
ADJECTIVE (GENERAL OR MASCULINE)
 ADJECTIVE (FEMININE SINGULAR)
 ADVERB
 
felice
 felice
 felicemente (happily)
 
lento
 lenta
 lentamente (slowly)
 
stanco
 stanca
 stancamente (tiredly)
 

If an adjective ends in -ale, -ile, or -are, the adverb is formed with the root of the adjective plus the ending -mente.
FORMING ADVERBS FROM ADJECTIVES THAT END IN -ALE, -ILE, OR -ARE
 
ADJECTIVE (GENERAL OR MASCULINE)
 ADJECTIVAL ROOT
 ADVERB
 
esemplare
 esemplari-
 esemplarmente
 
gentile
 gentil-
 gentilmente
 
speciale
 special-
 specialmente