Translation guide
The English adverb 'intermittently' describes actions or states that occur at irregular intervals, stopping and starting repeatedly. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various adverbs, onomatopoeic words, and grammatical patterns that convey discontinuity, sporadic occurrence, or periodic breaks.
Describing something that happens repeatedly but not continuously, with pauses in between.
A standard, neutral adverb meaning 'intermittently' or 'discontinuously'. Suitable for both spoken and written contexts.
It's raining intermittently.
I hear a sound intermittently.
Means 'sometimes' or 'occasionally'. Less formal than 断続的に, and implies a lower frequency. Often used in casual conversation.
It rains intermittently (sometimes).
Literally 'in fits and starts', emphasizing the fragmented nature of the action. Often used for speech, sound, or light.
The radio sound comes through intermittently (in fits and starts).
An onomatopoeic adverb describing sporadic, scattered occurrences, like raindrops or sparse comments. Casual and vivid.
It started raining intermittently (in scattered drops).
Describing something that happens repeatedly with a fixed or predictable pause between occurrences.
Means 'periodically' or 'regularly'. Use when the intervals are regular, not random. Often used for scheduled events.
This machine needs to be inspected intermittently (periodically).
Literally 'at fixed intervals'. More explicit than 定期的に, emphasizing the regularity of the pauses.
The buzzer sounds intermittently (at regular intervals).
Describing sudden, short bursts of activity separated by pauses, often with a sense of irregularity or lack of control.
断続的に emphasizes the stop-and-go nature of an action, while 時々 simply indicates occasional occurrence without focusing on the pattern. Use 断続的に when the on-off cycle is important, and 時々 for general 'sometimes'.
English 'intermittently' is often translated as 断続的に, but in casual speech, Japanese speakers may prefer more specific or vivid expressions like ぽつぽつ or 途切れ途切れに depending on context. Using 断続的に in every case can sound overly formal or technical.
I have intermittent pain.