断断续续
duàn duàn xù xù · HSK 7
off and on
⏯️ 断 (break) doubled + 续 (continue) doubled = break-break-continue-continue
Each half repeats for emphasis: 断断 means repeatedly breaking off, 续续 means repeatedly resuming. Together they capture that stuttering rhythm of something that keeps stopping and starting again.
断 — thread 㡭 (silk bundle) + axe 斤
Originally written with 㡭 (entangled silk threads) on the left and 斤 (axe) on the right, depicting an axe cutting through bundled threads. From this concrete image of severing came the meanings 'to cut off,' 'to break,' and by extension 'to decide' or 'judge'—as in resolving a matter decisively.
断 — thread 㡭 (silk bundle) + axe 斤
Originally written with 㡭 (entangled silk threads) on the left and 斤 (axe) on the right, depicting an axe cutting through bundled threads. From this concrete image of severing came the meanings 'to cut off,' 'to break,' and by extension 'to decide' or 'judge'—as in resolving a matter decisively.
续 — silk radical 糹+ 賣 (sell, phonetic)
续 is the simplified form of 續. The silk radical 糹 signals the original meaning of joining threads end-to-end, while 賣 served as the phonetic component. From 'splicing silk' the meaning broadened to 'continue, connect, extend' in general use.
续 — silk radical 糹+ 賣 (sell, phonetic)
续 is the simplified form of 續. The silk radical 糹 signals the original meaning of joining threads end-to-end, while 賣 served as the phonetic component. From 'splicing silk' the meaning broadened to 'continue, connect, extend' in general use.