đứt quãng
Definition
- Adjective:
- Intermittent, discontinuous, broken: Describes something that does not flow or proceed smoothly and continuously, but rather stops and starts at irregular intervals.
- Fitful, sporadic: Characterized by irregular and unpredictable pauses or breaks.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Âm thanh phát ra một cách đứt quãng do sóng kém. (The sound came out intermittently due to poor signal.)
- Cô ấy ngủ một giấc đứt quãng vì tiếng ồn bên ngoài. (She had a fitful sleep because of the outside noise.)
- Công việc tiến triển một cách đứt quãng. (The work progressed in a discontinuous manner.)
Advanced Usage
- "một cách đứt quãng": (in an) intermittent/interrupted (way). This adverbial phrase is the most common structure.
- Anh ấy trả lời một cách đứt quãng vì mất kết nối. (He answered in an interrupted way due to a lost connection.)
Variants and Related Words
- Gián đoạn (v/n): to interrupt; an interruption. Focuses more on the act of causing a break.
- Công việc bị gián đoạn. (The work was interrupted.)
- Ngắt quãng (adj): Very similar in meaning to "đứt quãng," also meaning intermittent or broken.
- Hơi thở ngắt quãng. (Labored breathing.)
Synonyms
- Không liên tục: Not continuous.
- Chập chờn: Flickering, unsteady (often for light or signal); can be used figuratively.
- Thất thường: Irregular, erratic.
Related Phrases / Idioms
- Nói đứt quãng: To speak haltingly or in a broken manner.
- Cậu bé nói đứt quãng vì xúc động. (The boy spoke haltingly because he was emotional.)
- Hơi thở đứt quãng: Labored, irregular breathing.
- Bệnh nhân thở một cách đứt quãng. (The patient breathed in a labored way.)
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Interruptedly
