Definition
断断续续 describes something that happens in an interrupted, on-and-off manner — used for weather, signals, sounds (intermittent) or for speech/writing that is disjointed or stammering. It is an adjective, while 间歇 (jiàn xiē) is a verb meaning 'to pause temporarily'.
adjective
intermittenton and off (for weather, signals, sounds, etc.)disjointedstammering (for speech, writing, or performance)
Examples
- 断断续续，。Diànhuà xìnhào duàn duàn xù xù de, wǒ tīng bù qīngchǔ.The phone signal is intermittent; I can't hear clearly.
- 断断续续。Yǔ duàn duàn xù xù de xià le yí xiàwǔ.The rain fell on and off all afternoon.
- 断断续续，。Tā shuōhuà duàn duàn xù xù de, hǎoxiàng hěn jǐnzhāng.He spoke in a stammering way, as if very nervous.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.