gaan3 hit3間歇间歇
Jyutpinggaan3 hit3
Yalegaan hit
Definition
Intermittent; happening at intervals.
neutraldescriptions
How it's used
This word is primarily used in formal or technical contexts, such as describing medical symptoms or mechanical failures. It is rarely used in casual, everyday conversation to describe simple breaks in activity. For more common, informal situations, speakers prefer using phrases like 斷斷續續 or 停停下.
Examples
His illness flares up intermittently.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this word to describe taking a short break from a task, but it refers specifically to the pattern of something stopping and starting repeatedly rather than a deliberate pause.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
