断断续续

• Pinyin: duàn duàn xù xù
• Hanzi breakdown: 断 = 斤 (axe) + 纟(thread) — cutting off; 续 = 纟(thread) + 卖 (phonetic) — reconnecting; AABB reduplication expresses repeated alternation

Meaning

Intermittent; occurring in broken intervals with no consistent continuity. On and off; stopping and starting repeatedly.

A reduplicated four-character form (AABB pattern) that emphasises irregular intermittency. Used for rain, sounds, conversation, work progress, or relationships that start and stop erratically. Often conveys a sense of unreliability, incompletion, or fragmented experience. Can serve as an adverb or adjective.

Examples

1. 雨断断续续地下了整整一周，令户外施工进展迟缓。 It rained on and off for a full week, slowing outdoor construction to a crawl.
2. 由于信号不稳定，两人之间的通话断断续续，沟通十分困难。 Because the signal was unstable, their call kept cutting in and out, making communication very difficult.
3. 他断断续续地学了好几年钢琴，始终没有坚持下来。 He studied piano off and on for years, but never managed to stick with it.

Usage Guide

Context: description, narrative, daily life

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 老人断断续续地讲述着当年的往事，声音里充满了难以言说的情感。(The elderly person recounted past events in fits and starts, with a voice full of inexpressible emotion.)
• 这项改革推进了几年，但政策执行断断续续，收效并不理想。(This reform was pushed forward for several years, but policy implementation was intermittent and the results were not ideal.)

Don't Say

• 他断断续续地很高 — 断断续续 describes intermittent action or occurrence, not a static state; say 他的表现起伏不定 or 他时高时低 for fluctuating performance

Origin & History

断 (break/discontinue) + 续 (continue) — AABB reduplication of 断续 intensifies the pattern of repeated stopping and resuming

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal