Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'intermittently'

English Word: intermittently

Key Russian Translations:

• Прерывисто [prʲɪˈrɨvʲɪstə] - [Adverb, Informal; used to describe actions or events that occur with breaks or interruptions]
• Периодически [pʲɪrʲɪˈɔdʲɪkə] - [Adverb, Formal; implies regular intervals, but can overlap with 'intermittently' in some contexts]
• С перерывами [s pʲɪˈrʲɛrɨvəmʲɪ] - [Phrase, Neutral; literal translation for situations with explicit pauses]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its variants are commonly encountered in everyday Russian, especially in descriptive or narrative contexts, but not as ubiquitous as basic adverbs like "быстро".)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adverbial forms and contextual usage. For 'Прерывисто', it's straightforward for learners at this level, but 'Периодически' may need more nuance.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Прерывисто: [prʲɪˈrɨvʲɪstə]

Периодически: [pʲɪrʲɪˈɔdʲɪkə]

С перерывами: [s pʲɪˈrʲɛrɨvəmʲɪ] (Note that the stress falls on the second syllable of 'перерывами', which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft consonants.)

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Occurring at irregular intervals or with breaks, not continuously.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Прерывисто - Used in informal or descriptive contexts to describe sporadic events, such as weather patterns or machine operations.
• Периодически - Applied in more formal or scientific contexts where intervals might be somewhat predictable, but still not constant.
• С перерывами - Common in everyday speech for activities that include planned or unplanned pauses.

Usage Examples:

• Свет в комнате мерцал прерывисто, вызывая раздражение.

  The light in the room flickered intermittently, causing irritation.

• Дождь падал периодически, давая надежду на просветление.

  The rain fell intermittently, offering hope for a break in the clouds.

• Он работал с перерывами, чтобы отдохнуть и сохранить концентрацию.

  He worked intermittently, taking breaks to rest and maintain focus.

• Машина гудела прерывисто, сигнализируя о проблеме.

  The machine beeped intermittently, signaling a problem.

Secondary Meaning: In a manner that is not steady or consistent (e.g., in emotional or behavioral contexts).

Translation(s) & Context:

• Прерывисто - Often used metaphorically for emotional states, like fluctuating moods.
• Периодически - Less common here, but can imply recurring patterns in behavior.

Usage Examples:

• Ее настроение изменялось прерывисто, от радости к грусти.

  Her mood changed intermittently, from joy to sadness.

• Он звонил периодически, но не регулярно.

  He called intermittently, but not on a regular schedule.

• С перерывами она продолжала обучение, несмотря на трудности.

  She continued her studies intermittently, despite the difficulties.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These translations are primarily adverbs or adverbial phrases, which in Russian do not undergo significant inflection like nouns or verbs. Adverbs like 'Прерывисто' and 'Периодически' remain unchanged across cases, numbers, or genders. However, 'С перерывами' includes a noun ('перерывами') that inflects as a plural instrumental case of 'перерыв' (break).

For 'Перерыв' (as a related noun form):

Note: As adverbs, 'Прерывисто' and 'Периодически' are invariant, making them easier for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Непрерывно (but wait, no—actually for intermittently: Вспышками, which implies bursts; or С interruptions, but more precisely: Временами – with a subtle difference in implying occasional rather than broken continuity.)
  • Временами (Used for less structured interruptions.)
• Antonyms:
  • Непрерывно (Continuously, without breaks.)
  • Постоянно (Constantly, steadily.)

Related Phrases:

• Прерывистый дождь – Intermittent rain (Used in weather descriptions to indicate rain that starts and stops.)
• Периодически проверять – To check intermittently (Common in professional or routine contexts.)
• С перерывами на обед – With breaks for lunch (A fixed phrase in daily life, emphasizing scheduled pauses.)

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'Прерывисто' directly corresponds to 'intermittently' in contexts involving irregular patterns, but choose 'Периодически' for more rhythmic or scheduled interruptions. Be mindful of formality: 'С перерывами' is neutral and versatile for everyday use. Grammatically, these adverbs typically follow the verb they modify, e.g., 'Дождь лил прерывисто'. When selecting among translations, prioritize 'Прерывисто' for emotional or mechanical descriptions and 'Периодически' for scientific ones to ensure natural flow.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing 'Прерывисто' with 'Непрерывно' (continuously), leading to sentences like "Свет горел прерывисто" being mistakenly said as "Свет горел непрерывно" when meaning the opposite.

  Correct: "Свет горел прерывисто" – This accurately conveys irregularity. Explanation: English learners often mix up antonyms due to similar structures.

• Error: Overusing 'Периодически' in informal speech, e.g., saying "Я ем периодически" instead of "Я ем с перерывами" for casual contexts.

  Correct: "Я ем с перерывами" – This sounds more natural; 'Периодически' implies a pattern, which might not fit.

Cultural Notes:

Words like 'Прерывисто' don't carry strong cultural connotations, but in Russian literature and daily life, they often reflect the unpredictability of weather or emotions, as seen in works by authors like Chekhov. This mirrors Russia's variable climate, where intermittent rain is common, helping learners appreciate how language adapts to environmental realities.

Related Concepts:

• Вспышками (In bursts)
• Регулярно (Regularly)
• Случайно (Randomly)