Grammatica - loco

10
Adverbs
160
10.7
10.7.1
Formation of adverbs
-s
The addition of a final -s to various words is a common adverbial formation:
heelhuids unscathed, without a scratch
onverwachts unexpectedly
(te)vergeefs in vain
The op z’n noun + s constructions are still productive:
op z’n Frans à la française
op z’n Hollands as the Dutch do, à la hollandaise
op z’n Wims as Wim does (any person’s name)
op z’n janboerenfluitjes in a slapdash way
We eten vanavond op z’n Chinees, d.w.z. met eetstokjes.
We’re eating the Chinese way tonight, i.e. with chopsticks.
10.7.2
-jes
There is also a group of adverbial diminutives that are very commonly
used in the spoken language, but most are permissible in the written language
too. This ending is still productive (see 7.5.3.1):
eventjes just a moment (also pron. effentjes)
frisjes coolish, fresh, nippy
gezelligjes cosy, cosily
kalmpjes (aan) calmly
knusjes22 cosily, snugly
losjes loosely
netjes22 nice, nice(ly), properly
slapjes22 weak, gutless
22 Some of these words are occasionally used as predicative adjectives:
Jij ziet er netjes uit. You look nice (i.e. nicely dressed).