间断

• Pinyin: jiàn duàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 间 = 门 (door) + 日 (sun) — gap, between; 断 = 斤 (axe) cutting through — to break

Meaning

To interrupt; intermittent; to break continuity. A pause or break in an otherwise continuous process.

Describes temporary breaks or pauses in activities, processes, or states. Often used with negatives (不间断, 没有间断) to emphasize continuity. Can describe both voluntary pauses and unavoidable interruptions.

Examples

1. 他的研究工作从未间断，即使在最困难的时期也坚持着。 His research work has never been interrupted, even persisting through the most difficult times.
2. 由于疫情，国际航班曾一度间断，现已恢复正常。 Due to the pandemic, international flights were temporarily suspended but have now returned to normal.
3. 这场雨断断续续、时有间断地下了一整天。 The rain fell intermittently, with occasional breaks, throughout the entire day.

Usage Guide

Context: description, reporting, academic

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 训练不能间断，要坚持每天练习。(Training cannot be interrupted — you must practice every day.)
• 两国的交流从未间断。(The exchange between the two countries has never been interrupted.)

Don't Say

• 混淆'间断'和'中断' (Don't confuse 间断 with 中断 — 间断 suggests temporary pauses with expectation of resumption; 中断 implies a more complete stop)

Origin & History

Composed of 间 (gap; between) + 断 (to break; cut off). Together they describe breaks or interruptions in continuity.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Educated speakers