Adjectives and Adverbs of State

Adverbs of attitude and habit

Adverbs of attitude and habit (副詞(ふくし, adverb)) modify verbs or adjectives by showing the doer's attitude toward the action, the manner in which it is done, or how often a habit is performed. In the N3 exam, the key is to match the meaning of the word with the context: whether the action is done deliberately, unconsciously, temporarily, regularly, or in a particular way.

Group 1: Attitude and intention

• わざわざ(to go out of one's way, deliberately) — expresses an action done with special effort or trouble, usually for the sake of another person. This word is not used for things that are natural or require no effort. 例) 寒い中、友だちがわざわざ家まで来てくれた。
• わざわざ is not suitable for natural phenomena such as rain, or for everyday activities such as sleeping, because there is no special deliberate effort. The common pattern is 「わざわざ〜てくれた」 (came or delivered something out of the way).
• せっかく(what a pity, with great effort) — expresses a feeling of regret when something valuable, or effort already spent, is not put to use. Often used in the pattern 「せっかくの〜だから」 (because this is a precious opportunity) or 「せっかく〜のに」. 例) せっかくの休みだから、一日中ゆっくりしよう。
• うっかり(carelessly, without thinking) — a mistake or forgetfulness that happens due to lack of attention. Usually used in the pattern 「うっかり〜てしまった」. 例) 財布をうっかり電車に置き忘れてしまった。
• つい(without thinking, unintentionally) — an action that happens without being consciously noticed, often because of temptation or habit. Unlike うっかり, which means carelessness, つい emphasizes a spontaneous impulse. This word is not used for a fixed habit (use 〜ようにしている) or for future plans. 例) 疲れているとつい夜更かしをしてしまう。
• ぜひ(very much, please) — expresses a very strong wish or request. Used with 〜たい、〜てほしい、〜てください. Not used for weather forecasts (with 思う) or for bad events that have already passed. 例) ぜひ一度、この店の料理を食べてみてください。
• とりあえず(for now, at least for the time being) — an initial or temporary action taken before complete settlement. If the work is not entirely finished, 「とりあえず」 is used for the part done first. 例) 報告書はまだ途中だが、とりあえず要点だけまとめておいた。
• とりあえず is not suitable for something that is certain (確実(かくじつ, certain)) or for a past event that has already finished. This word must also be followed by a logical temporary action, not an unreasonable one. 例) 道に迷ったので、とりあえず近くの店員に聞いてみた。
• 念のため(ねんのため, as a precaution) — done to anticipate a possible bad outcome or mistake. This word expresses a preventive action, not a state or event that has already happened. 例) 念のため、出発前にガスの元栓を確かめた。
• さっそく(immediately, right away) — an action started without delay from the very beginning. Not suitable for a plan far in the future or for an event that has already passed. 例) 届いた資料をさっそく読み始めた。
• 丁寧に(ていねいに, carefully and politely) — a way of doing something thoroughly and with full attention, for example 説明する、教える、扱う. Opposite of 乱暴に(らんぼうに, roughly), 適当に(てきとうに, haphazardly), and 大胆に(だいたんに, boldly). 例) 客の質問に丁寧に答える。
• 丁寧に is not the same as 急に(きゅうに, suddenly), which expresses time, or 元気に(げんきに, energetically), which expresses a cheerful attitude.
• きちんと(neatly, properly, precisely) — done neatly and correctly according to the rules. Often used in the pattern 「きちんと〜することが大切だ」. Opposite of ざっと(roughly, in outline), さっさと(quickly, hurriedly), and のろのろ(slowly, sluggishly). 例) 会計のときは金額をきちんと確認する。

Group 2: Manner and atmosphere

• ゆっくり(slowly, leisurely) — not hurried, and having plenty of time. Not suitable with 急ぐ(いそぐ, to hurry) or 一瞬(いっしゅん, an instant). 例) 週末は家でゆっくり本を読んで過ごした。
• のんびり(relaxed, calm) — a leisurely atmosphere without pressure or hurry, suitable with 過ごす、休む、暮らす. Not suitable for work with a deadline or for a day full of schedules. 例) 田舎でのんびり暮らしてみたい。

Group 3: Habit and frequency

• たいてい(usually, generally) — expresses a state that generally occurs or a repeated habit. Not used for a single specific event in the past or future. 例) 日曜日はたいてい家で洗濯をする。
• 定期的(ていきてき, regularly, periodically) — done regularly at set times and repeatedly, suitable with 毎朝、毎週、月に一度. Its opposite is 不定期(ふていき, irregular). 定番(ていばん, standard, customary) and 一般的(いっぱんてき, general) do not express frequency. 例) この工場では機械の点検を定期的に行っている。
• 欠かさず(かかさず, without fail) — done continuously with nothing missed. Opposite of 時々(ときどき, sometimes) or 気まぐれに. 例) 毎晩寝る前に日記を欠かさず書いている。
• こつこつ(diligently, little by little) — working or studying diligently, step by step and continuously. Not used for studying the night before an exam, for a loud sound, or for the falling of rain. 例) 毎日こつこつと単語を覚えることが、力をつける近道だ。

Group 4: Degree

• 比較的(ひかくてき, relatively, fairly) — expresses a fairly moderate or not extreme degree, compared with the general situation. Suitable for mild or moderate conditions. Compare with 大幅に(おおはばに, drastically) for changes in quantity, 一時的に(いちじてきに, temporarily) for momentary conditions, and 極端に(きょくたんに, extremely) for an excessive degree. 例) この辺りは夏でも比較的涼しい。

How to answer: first determine the attitude meaning of the word (deliberate, careless, temporary, valuable). Then check the sentence pattern, such as 〜てしまう、〜だから、〜ようにしている. Finally, match it with the time or frequency expression in the sentence.