How do you use "On-again, off-again" in a sentence?

They've been on-again, off-again for three years — I can't keep track. Their on-again, off-again thing is so exhausting for everyone around them. We were on-again, off-again in college but eventually called it quits for good.

On-again, off-again

American Slang Term American ★★★★★ Very Common informal

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Significado: A relationship that repeatedly breaks up and gets back together.

反复分分合合的恋爱关系。

Una relación que pasa repetidamente por rupturas y reconciliaciones.

別れてはよりを戻すことを繰り返す関係のこと。

헤어졌다가 다시 사귀기를 반복하는 관계.

An on-again, off-again relationship is a cycle of breaking up and reuniting. The couple can't seem to stay apart or stay together. Friends and family often find these relationships exhausting to follow. Celebrity examples like Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez or Ross and Rachel from Friends have made this pattern a well-known relationship trope.

分分合合的关系就是不断循环分手又复合。这对情侣似乎既无法分开也无法在一起。朋友和家人往往觉得这种关系让人精疲力竭。贾斯汀·比伯和赛琳娜·戈麦斯，或者《老友记》中的罗斯和瑞秋等名人案例，让这种模式成为广为人知的恋爱桥段。

Una relación 'on-again, off-again' es un ciclo de rupturas y reconciliaciones. La pareja parece no poder vivir separada ni junta. Los amigos y familiares suelen encontrar estas relaciones agotadoras de seguir. Ejemplos famosos como Justin Bieber y Selena Gomez o Ross y Rachel de Friends han convertido este patrón en un tópico sentimental muy conocido.

「on-again, off-again」な関係は、別れてはよりを戻すサイクルのこと。カップルは離れていることも一緒にいることもできないようだ。友人や家族はこうした関係に振り回されてうんざりすることが多い。ジャスティン・ビーバーとセレーナ・ゴメス、あるいは『フレンズ』のロスとレイチェルなど有名人の例が、このパターンをよく知られた恋愛の典型にした。

On-again, off-again 관계는 헤어지고 재결합하는 순환이다. 커플은 떨어져 있지도, 함께 있지도 못하는 것처럼 보인다. 친구와 가족은 이런 관계를 따라가는 것에 지치는 경우가 많다. 저스틴 비버와 셀레나 고메즈, 또는 프렌즈의 로스와 레이첼 같은 유명인 사례가 이 패턴을 잘 알려진 관계 유형으로 만들었다.

Ejemplos

They've been on-again, off-again for three years — I can't keep track.
他们分分合合三年了——我都跟不上了。
Llevan tres años cortando y volviendo — ya ni llevo la cuenta.
あの二人、3年間ずっとくっついたり離れたりで——もう追いきれないよ。
걔네 3년째 만났다 헤어졌다 반복인데 — 더 이상 따라갈 수가 없어.
Their on-again, off-again thing is so exhausting for everyone around them.
他们这种分分合合的模式，周围所有人都受够了。
Lo suyo de cortar y volver es agotador para todos los que les rodean.
あの二人のくっついたり離れたりは、周りにいる全員がうんざりしてるよ。
걔네의 만났다 헤어졌다 하는 거 때문에 주변 사람 모두가 지쳤어.
We were on-again, off-again in college but eventually called it quits for good.
大学时我们分分合合，最终彻底分手了。
En la universidad cortábamos y volvíamos, pero al final lo dejamos definitivamente.
大学時代はくっついたり離れたりだったけど、最終的にはきっぱり別れたよ。
대학 때 만났다 헤어졌다를 반복하다가 결국 완전히 끝냈어.

Pronunciación

Guía de uso

Contexto: relationships, gossip, everyday conversation

Tono: exasperated, descriptive

✓ Correcto

They're on-again, off-again.
他们一直在分分合合。
Están en plan cortar y volver.
あの二人、くっついたり離れたりだよね。
걔네 만났다 헤어졌다 반복이야.
I'm tired of this on-again, off-again stuff.
我受够了这种分分合合的了。
Estoy harto/a de este rollo de cortar y volver.
このくっついたり離れたりにはもううんざり。
이 만났다 헤어졌다 하는 거 지겨워.

✗ Incorrecto

The term often carries a negative connotation — it implies instability and indecision
这个词通常带有负面含义——暗示关系不稳定且犹豫不决
El término suele tener una connotación negativa — implica inestabilidad e indecisión
この表現はネガティブな意味合いを持つことが多い——不安定さと優柔不断さを暗示する
이 표현은 보통 부정적인 뉘앙스를 가진다 — 불안정함과 우유부단함을 암시한다

Origen e historia

The phrase has been used in American English to describe intermittent relationships since at least the mid-20th century. The pattern became a popular narrative device in American TV shows, movies, and celebrity gossip.

Contexto cultural

Era: Mid-20th century onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

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