Adverb question

Question

Because estar is a verb and in the sentence ellos están triste, triste is the adverb, would it be correct to write triste? How about ellos están feliz, is that correct? Please explain

Thanks everyone.

Answer 1

Ellos están tristes. Ellos están felices.

If you look up triste on this site, you'll see that it's an adjective. It describes ellos; it doesn't describe the being of ellos. So it must match ellos in number.

Of course, things are never as simple as we'd like. If you look up bien, you'll find that it's an adverb in a context like Ellos están bien. Sorry. I don't make the rules!

In English too the verb to be is followed by an adjective. Example: He is intelligent and not he is intelligently. - polenta1, May 5, 2017

Answer 2

In this case, "triste" and "feliz" are adjectives (adjetivos atributivos), not adverbs. The number and gender should match the subject:

Ellos están tristes.

Ella está triste.

The adverb form is "tristemente" or "felizmente". (Note that "felizmente" also means "fortunately" so it is better to use "alegremente".)

Example:

Ella camina tristemente al cementerio.

Los atletas cantan alegremente su himno nacional.

Welcome to SpanishDict. - rac1, May 5, 2017

Thank you. Great site! - Paulo69, May 5, 2017

Answer 3

I like the previous answers and comments.

"Feliz" and "triste" are adjectives (adjetivos atributivos). On the other hand, "tristemente" and "felizmente" are adverbs (adverbios de modo). Note that number and gender should always match (concord).

Some other collocations:

• Ella escribe tristemente esa carta (She is sad while writing that letter).

• Ellos están felizmente casados (They are happily -also fortunately or successfully- married).

• Hitler es tristemente célebre (Hitler is sadly celebrated).

• Ella es feliz porque sus hijos son felices (She is happy because her sons are happy).

• Ana y Pedro son personas tristes (Ana and Pedro are sad people).

• Ana está triste (Ana is feeling sad).