In the Tuvan language, adverbs—words that indicate an action (with a verb) or an attribute of an attribute (with an adjective)—carry an important lexical and grammatical meaning. As an action attribute, an adverb is combined with the verb and precedes it. For example, долдур кудар — to pour full; here, the word долдур is an adverb, defining the nature of the action denoted by the verb кудар—to pour. As an attribute attribute, it is combined with the adjective and precedes it. For example, арай улуг—a bit too big; here, the word арай is an adverb, defining the attribute denoted by the adjective улуг—big, great, and gives this word an additional, but essential, meaning. Adverbs in a sentence can act as adverbs.

1) Of manner (канчалдыр? канчаар? – how? in what way?): дыңзыдыр – more firmly; дүрген – quickly; эптии-биле – more conveniently.
2) Of place (кайда? кайнаар? кайыын? – where? where to? where from?): ында – there; аткаар – back; кудууртан – from below.
3) Of time (кажан? – when?): бөгүн – today; дүүн – yesterday; удавас – soon; дораан – at once.
4) Of comparison or degree (кайы хире? чүү хире? – to what extent?): арай – a little; аажок – very, extremely.