noun
intermittent; intermittence
Describes something that occurs at irregular intervals, stopping and starting repeatedly. Often used in technical or formal contexts.
この地域では間欠的な停電が続いている。
Intermittent power outages continue in this area.
間欠泉が定期的に噴き出す。
The geyser erupts at regular intervals.
断続的 also means intermittent, but emphasizes a series of on-off cycles, while 間欠 can imply irregular gaps.
From 間 (interval) + 欠 (lack, gap). The older form 間歇 uses 歇 (to rest, stop), which carries a similar meaning.