intermitente
/inteɾmitente/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'off and on' is translated into Spanish as intermitente.
You can use the adjective intermitente to describe a noun, such as an intermittent signal or the adverb intermitentemente to describe how an action is performed.
Meaning: intermittently (adv)
Which one should you use?
While intermitente is an adjective used to describe a thing (like a signal), intermitentemente is the adverbial form used to describe the manner in which an action occurs.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective intermitente is used to describe a noun that occurs at intervals, for example, una señal intermitente (an intermittent signal).
How do you pronounce it?
/inteɾmitente/
Did you know?
- If you are driving in Spain and someone shouts ¡Pon el intermitente!, they are not telling you to turn on an intermittent light, but to use your turn signal.
- The word intermitente shares a common ancestor with the English word 'intermission', which refers to the break between acts in a play or concert.
- While English speakers might say a person's work is 'off and on', using intermitente for a person's behavior can sound strangely robotic or mechanical in Spanish.
Examples in context
- En mi trabajo, reviso los informes de ventas de vez en cuando.At my job, I review the sales reports off and on.
- La conexión a internet en esta área es intermitente, por eso a veces se va y vuelve.The internet connection in this area is off and on, that's why it sometimes goes and comes back.
- Mis viajes a ese país son de forma esporádica, pero siempre vuelvo con maravillosas experiencias.My trips to that country are off and on, but I always come back with wonderful experiences.
- Jugamos fútbol de vez en cuando en el parque.We play soccer off and on at the park.
- Llovía de forma intermitente.It was raining off and on.
- La lluvia fue intermitente durante la tarde.The rain was intermittent during the afternoon.
- Tuvimos una conexión intermitente con el Wi-Fi.We had an intermittent connection with the Wi-Fi.
- El ruido de la calle es intermitente.The noise from the street is intermittent.
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are talking about the weather during their trip.
- MateoHace frío, pero el sol sale de forma intermitente.It's cold, but the sun comes out off and on.
- ElenaSí, no sabemos si debemos llevar paraguas.Yes, we don't know if we should take umbrellas.
- MateoParece que la lluvia también será intermitente.It seems like the rain will be off and on too.
- ElenaMejor llevémoslo por si acaso, Mateo.Better let's take it just in case, Mateo.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries intermitente, CC BY-SA 4.0.
