We are going to delve into some very useful adverbial forms.
Además, demás, de más, demasiado:
-además: it is used to add more information, translated as “besides, additionally, furthermore”: “Bebimos una limonada y además, comimos pastel de fresas” (we drank a lemonade and additionally, we ate strawberry cake”.
-demasiado: it is an adverb to express quantity, it means “in excess, too much”: “Estás trabajando demasiado” (you are working too much). When it works as an adjective, it changes: “Tengo demasiado trabajo”, “no tengo demasiada paciencia”, “tengo demasiados estudiantes”, “tengo demasiadas cosas”.
-de más: in this case, we talk about something which is not necessary, as in “Solo necesito este libro. Los otros están de más” (I only need this book. The others are not necessary).
-lo demás, los demás, las demás: this means “the rest, the others”. For example: “Ustedes pueden irse, pero los demás deben terminar el examen” (you can leave, but the others must finish the exam).
Recién, recientemente:
-recientemente is “recently”: “No he estado en Madrid recientemente” (I haven’t been to Madrid recently).
-recién is “right now”: “Recién terminé de corregir los exámenes” (I finished correcting the exams right now”.
Apenas:
This adverb has different meanings.
-It is “barely, hardly”: “Apenas podía caminar porque me dolía mucho la pierna” (I could barely walk because my leg hurt a lot). When we want to be more emphatic, we say “a duras penas”.
-It is also “only”: “Apenas hace una semana que me mudé” (I moved only one week ago). We can replace it with “nomás”, which is a little more informal: “Hace una semana nomás que me mudé”. Do not mix up “nomás” with “no más”, meaning “no more”: “No más café para mí, gracias” (no more coffee for me, thank you).
-We also use “apenas” to say that something has just happened: “La película apenas ha comenzado” (the film has just begun). We can also say: “Ha comenzado hace solo unos minutos” (it has begun only a couple of minutes ago).
-It is also “as soon as”: “Apenas me vio, ella vino a hablar conmigo” (as soon as she saw me, she came to speak with me).
Mientras:
-it could express time, meaning “while”: “Puedes poner la mesa mientras sirvo el pescado” (you can set the table while I serve the fish). We can also use “mientras tanto”: “Tú termina tus deberes. Mientras tanto, yo preparo la cena” (you finish your homework. Meanwhile. I prepare dinner).
-it could express a condition, meaning “if and when, provided that”: “Mientras estudies, no tendrás problemas con el examen” (provided that you study, you won’t have problems with the exam).
-it has a contrasting meaning, like “pero, sin embargo”: “Tu hermana toca muy bien el piano, mientras que tú eres mejor con la guitarra” (your sister plays the piano very well, but you are better with the guitar).
