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A2 adjective 11 min de lecture

intermitente

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces intermitente en 30 secondes

Explication intermitente in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use 'intermitente' in your daily speech, but you might see it on signs or in simple health contexts. Think of it as 'on and off.' If you are talking about the weather, you can say 'chuva intermitente' to mean it rains, stops, then rains again. It is an easy word to remember because it looks like the English word 'intermittent.' Just remember that the 'e' at the end doesn't change for boys or girls (masculine or feminine). It is a good 'big word' to impress your teacher early on! Focus on using it for simple things like lights (luz) or rain (chuva).

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At the A2 level, you should start using 'intermitente' in specific common phrases. The most important one today is 'jejum intermitente' (intermittent fasting). Many people talk about their diets, and this is the standard term. You should also use it to describe technical problems, like 'wi-fi intermitente' or 'sinal intermitente.' This shows you have moved beyond basic words like 'bom' or 'ruim' and can describe *how* something is working. Remember the plural is 'intermitentes.' Practice saying 'O sinal está intermitente' when your internet is acting up.

At the B1 level, you can use 'intermitente' to describe more abstract things, like your 'progresso intermitente' in learning a language or 'trabalho intermitente.' You are now expected to understand that this word implies a cycle of stopping and starting. You should be able to distinguish it from 'contínuo' (continuous). In a doctor's visit, a B1 student should be able to describe a 'dor intermitente' (intermittent pain) to give a more accurate picture of their health. You should also start using the adverbial form 'de forma intermitente' to describe how actions are performed.

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At the B2 level, you should use 'intermitente' with precision in professional and academic contexts. You might describe 'crescimento econômico intermitente' or 'conflitos intermitentes' in a political discussion. You should understand the legal implications of 'contrato intermitente' in the Brazilian labor market. At this level, you should also be comfortable using synonyms like 'esporádico' or 'descontínuo' and know when 'intermitente' is the better choice (usually when there is a repetitive but broken cycle). Your usage should feel natural and not forced.

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At the C1 level, 'intermitente' becomes a tool for nuance. You might use it in literary analysis or complex psychological descriptions, such as 'atenção intermitente' or 'afeto intermitente.' You understand the subtle difference between 'intermitente' and 'oscilante' (oscillating). You can use the word to describe complex systems, like 'sistemas de energia intermitente' (like wind or solar power). Your vocabulary is rich enough that you use 'intermitente' to avoid repetition and to provide a clear, technical description of frequency and duration in any subject matter.

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At the C2 level, you have complete mastery of 'intermitente.' You can use it in highly specialized fields, from medicine to engineering to law, without hesitation. You might use it in a poetic sense to describe the 'presença intermitente da memória.' You are aware of the word's Latin roots and how it fits into the broader family of Portuguese vocabulary. You can explain the nuance of why a specific legal 'regime intermitente' is beneficial or detrimental. The word is no longer a 'vocabulary item' but a precise instrument you use to shade your meaning perfectly.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

intermitente en 30 secondes

Intermitente describes things that stop and start irregularly, like flickering lights, patchy internet, or 'on-and-off' rain.
It is a gender-neutral adjective in Portuguese, ending in 'e' for both masculine and feminine nouns.
The most common modern usage is 'jejum intermitente' (intermittent fasting) and describing technical signal failures.
It differs from 'periodic' because it doesn't necessarily follow a strict, predictable schedule or rhythm.

The Portuguese word intermitente is a sophisticated yet commonly used adjective that describes something occurring at irregular intervals, stopping and starting rather than being continuous or steady. In the English-speaking world, we often use 'intermittent' in technical or medical contexts, but in Portuguese, while it retains that technical weight, it is the primary way to describe anything that 'comes and goes.' Whether you are talking about a flickering light bulb, a patchy internet connection, or a specific dietary habit, this word is your essential tool for describing broken continuity.

Health and Wellness: In modern Brazilian and European Portuguese culture, the most frequent use of this word is in the phrase jejum intermitente (intermittent fasting). This refers to an eating pattern that cycles between periods of fasting and eating. If you visit a gym in Lisbon or São Paulo, you will hear people discussing their windows of eating using this exact adjective.

Eu estou tentando fazer o jejum intermitente para ter mais energia durante o dia, mas é difícil no começo.

Weather and Nature: Meteorologists frequently use intermitente to describe rainfall. Unlike a tempestade (storm) which might be constant, chuva intermitente describes those annoying days where it rains for ten minutes, stops for twenty, and then starts again. It implies a lack of a predictable rhythm, making it different from 'periodic' which suggests a set schedule.

A previsão do tempo indicava chuvas intermitentes em toda a região costeira durante o fim de semana.

Technologically, the word is indispensable. If your Wi-Fi signal is dropping out every few minutes, it is intermitente. If a car engine is making a sound only once in a while, it is an ruído intermitente. This nuance is vital for troubleshooting because it tells the technician that the problem isn't constant, which often makes it harder to fix. In a social sense, someone who is only occasionally active in a group or a project might be described as having an participação intermitente, suggesting they are not fully committed or consistent.

Mechanical Usage: Think of the 'turn signal' or 'blinker' on a car. In technical manuals, the light is described as performing an iluminação intermitente. This is the perfect visual for the word: on, off, on, off. It is the rhythmic yet broken nature of the action that defines the word's soul.

O mecânico disse que o problema elétrico é intermitente, por isso não conseguimos vê-lo agora.

Desde a reforma trabalhista, o contrato de trabalho intermitente tornou-se comum em grandes empresas.

A luz da ambulância brilhava de forma intermitente enquanto ela cortava o trânsito pesado.

In summary, use intermitente whenever you want to emphasize that something is not permanent, not continuous, and perhaps a bit unpredictable. It bridges the gap between 'occasional' and 'broken,' providing a precise descriptor for the fluctuations of daily life, from the weather to your internet router.

Mastering intermitente involves understanding its placement and its role as a modifier. In Portuguese, adjectives typically follow the noun they modify. This is almost always the case with intermitente because it provides a specific technical or descriptive quality to the noun. For example, you would say 'sinal intermitente' (intermittent signal) rather than 'intermitente sinal,' which would sound archaic or poetic.

Agreement Rules: The word is an 'adjetivo de uma só terminação' (adjective with only one ending). This is great news for learners! Whether the noun is masculine (o barulho) or feminine (a dor), the adjective remains intermitente. You only need to worry about pluralization: add an 's' to make it intermitentes when the noun is plural.

Ele sentia dores intermitentes no joelho após a corrida de dez quilômetros.

Adverbial Usage: To describe an action that happens intermittently, you can turn it into an adverb: intermitentemente. However, native speakers often prefer the phrase 'de forma intermitente' or 'de maneira intermitente' because it sounds more natural in spoken Portuguese than the long '-mente' adverb.

O motor funcionava de forma intermitente, o que dificultava o diagnóstico do mecânico.

In academic or professional writing, intermitente is used to describe data patterns or historical events. For instance, a country might experience 'crescimento econômico intermitente' (intermittent economic growth), meaning the economy grows for a year, stalls for another, and then grows again. This usage conveys a sense of instability or lack of momentum.

Common Contexts: 1. **Technology:** Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Radio signals. 2. **Health:** Fever (febre intermitente), pain, fasting. 3. **Labor:** Shift work or on-call duties. 4. **Nature:** Rain, wind gusts, geysers. 5. **Mechanics:** Lights, clicking sounds, engine failure.

A luz de advertência no painel do carro está intermitente, piscando a cada cinco minutos.

O paciente apresenta febre intermitente, o que pode indicar uma infecção específica.

To effectively use this word, think of it as a 'rhythm breaker.' If a process has a rhythm but that rhythm is defined by gaps, intermitente is the perfect choice. It is more formal than 'que vai e volta' (that goes and comes) but common enough that you won't sound overly academic in a casual conversation about your bad internet connection.

O fluxo de água na fonte é intermitente para economizar recursos durante a seca.

You will encounter intermitente in a variety of real-world scenarios across the Lusophone world. It is a 'bridge word' that lives comfortably in both the doctor's office and the local bar while talking about the weather. Understanding these contexts will help you recognize the word when it's spoken at native speed.

The Doctor's Office: In a medical context, doctors use this word to classify symptoms. A 'febre intermitente' is a classic symptom of diseases like malaria, where the temperature spikes and then returns to normal. If you tell a Portuguese doctor that your pain is 'intermitente,' they will understand that you have moments of complete relief between the bouts of discomfort.

Doutor, eu tenho tido uma tosse intermitente que piora muito durante a noite.

In the Tech World: If you call your internet service provider (ISP) in Brazil (like Vivo or Claro), the automated voice or the technician might ask if your connection is 'queda total' (total drop) or 'conexão intermitente.' This is a crucial distinction for their troubleshooting protocols. A connection that is 'intermitente' is often more frustrating because it works just long enough to give you hope before failing again.

O sinal de Wi-Fi aqui no escritório está muito intermitente hoje, não consigo terminar a reunião.

In the world of fitness and dieting, jejum intermitente is a massive trend. You will see this on magazine covers, in YouTube titles, and hear it in gym locker rooms. It is perhaps the most common way a non-technical person uses the word today. People discuss their 'janelas de alimentação' (eating windows) and how they manage their 'períodos intermitentes' of fasting.

News and Media: You'll hear news anchors use the word to describe social phenomena. For example, 'conflitos intermitentes' (intermittent conflicts) in a specific region, or 'falta de água intermitente' (intermittent water shortages) in a city during a drought. It conveys a sense of a problem that is persistent but not constant.

A cidade está sofrendo com o fornecimento intermitente de energia elétrica devido às fortes chuvas.

Os pesquisadores observaram um brilho intermitente vindo daquela estrela distante no céu noturno.

Finally, in everyday urban life, you might hear it regarding traffic lights or public transport. If a bus service is 'intermitente,' it means the schedule isn't being followed and buses are appearing at random intervals. In short, whenever life feels 'patchy' or 'on-and-off,' the Portuguese language reaches for intermitente.

O serviço de trens foi intermitente durante toda a manhã por causa da greve parcial.

While intermitente is a cognate of the English 'intermittent,' learners often stumble over its specific nuances in Portuguese. One of the most common errors is confusing it with other words that describe frequency or rhythm, such as 'periódico' or 'irregular.'

Intermitente vs. Periódico: This is the most frequent conceptual mistake. 'Periódico' (periodic) implies a fixed, predictable schedule (like a magazine that comes out every month). 'Intermitente' implies that it stops and starts, but usually without a strictly predictable pattern. If a light flashes every 1 second exactly, it is 'periódica.' If it flashes randomly, it is 'intermitente.'

Errado: O sol nasce de forma intermitente todos os dias. (The sun rises predictably, so it is periodic, not intermittent).

Gender Agreement Errors: Learners often try to change the ending to 'a' when modifying a feminine noun, saying 'luz intermitenta.' This is incorrect. Adjectives ending in 'e' are gender-neutral in Portuguese. It is always intermitente for both masculine and feminine singular nouns.

Correto: A conexão (feminine) é intermitente. O sinal (masculine) é intermitente.

Another mistake is using intermitente when you actually mean 'esporádico' (sporadic). While similar, 'esporádico' suggests something that happens very rarely and without any connection between events. 'Intermitente' suggests a sequence of events that belong to the same process. For example, a rare comet is 'esporádico,' but a leaky faucet is 'intermitente.'

Spelling Pitfalls: In Portuguese, the word is spelled with 'n' after the 'i' and 'm' before the 'i'. Some English speakers accidentally write 'intermetente' or 'intermitenti' (mimicking the spoken 'i' sound at the end in some Brazilian dialects). Always remember the 'e' at the end: intermitente.

Atenção: Não escreva 'intermitenti'. A letra final é E, mesmo que em algumas regiões o som pareça um 'i'.

O erro comum é achar que intermitente significa apenas 'lento'. Na verdade, pode ser rápido, desde que pare e recomece.

Lastly, avoid using it to describe people's personalities (like 'he is intermittent') unless you are specifically referring to their work schedule or their presence in a group. To describe an 'on-and-off' person in a relationship, Portuguese speakers usually use 'instável' (unstable) or 'inconstante' (inconstant) rather than 'intermitente,' which sounds a bit too mechanical for human emotions.

To sound like a truly fluent Portuguese speaker, you need to know when to use intermitente and when a synonym might be more appropriate. While 'intermitente' is excellent for technical and health contexts, other words carry different emotional or descriptive weights.

Esporádico: Use 'esporádico' when something happens very infrequently and without a discernible pattern. If you only see a friend once every two years, that is a 'contato esporádico.' If you see them every other week but at random times, that is more 'intermitente.'

Recebemos visitas esporádicas de turistas naquela vila remota nas montanhas.

Descontínuo: This is a very close synonym. It literally means 'not continuous.' While 'intermitente' often implies a cycle (on/off/on/off), 'descontínuo' simply means there is a break in the line or the process. In mathematics or formal logic, 'descontínuo' is the preferred term.

O processo de produção foi descontínuo devido à falta de matéria-prima no estoque.

Alternado: 'Alternado' (alternating) suggests a very specific 1-2-1-2 pattern. Think of 'corrente alternada' (alternating current - AC). Use this when there are two states that swap places regularly. 'Intermitente' is more about 'action versus silence' or 'presence versus absence.'

As luzes alternadas de azul e vermelho da viatura chamavam a atenção de todos.

In casual conversation, you can use the phrase que vai e volta (that goes and comes). For example: 'Minha internet está assim, vai e volta.' This is much more common in a relaxed setting than saying 'Minha internet está intermitente,' which might sound a bit like you're reading from a manual. However, in any professional or medical setting, stick to intermitente for precision.

A dor é intermitente, mas quando volta, é muito mais intensa do que antes.

O rádio emitia um ruído pulsante, quase como se estivesse tentando transmitir um código.

Another alternative is 'irregular.' Use 'irregular' when the rhythm is messy. 'Intermitente' focuses on the *stops*, while 'irregular' focuses on the *lack of pattern*. A heartbeat that skips a beat is 'irregular,' but a heartbeat that stops for 5 seconds and then starts again is 'intermitente.'

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The root 'mittere' is the same one found in words like 'mission', 'dismiss', and 'transmit'. So, something intermittent is literally 'sent in between' gaps.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ˌɪntəˈmɪtəntɪ/

US /ĩ.teɾ.mi.ˈtẽ.tʃi/

The primary stress is on the penultimate syllable: 'TEN'.

Rime avec

presente ausente quente contente diferente prudente paciente gerente

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the final 'e' as a hard 'ay' (like 'café'). In Portuguese, an unstressed final 'e' is very soft, almost like 'ee' or 'i'.
Forgetting the nasal sound of the first 'in'.
Changing the ending to 'a' for feminine nouns.
Adding an extra syllable at the end.
Misplacing the stress on the 'mi' syllable.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Easy to recognize because it is a cognate of the English word 'intermittent'.

Écriture 3/5

Requires remembering the 'n' and 'm' placement and the 'e' ending.

Expression orale 3/5

The nasal 'in' and the final 'te' sound in Brazil can be tricky for beginners.

Écoute 2/5

Usually clear in context, especially in technical or health discussions.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

contínuo parar voltar sinal luz

Apprends ensuite

esporádico frequência intervalo ritmo persistente

Avancé

intermitência vicissitude oscilação vacilação descontinuidade

Grammaire à connaître

Adjectives ending in 'e' are uniform for gender.

O sinal (m) intermitente. A luz (f) intermitente.

Pluralization of adjectives ending in 'e' simply adds 's'.

Sinais intermitentes. Luzes intermitentes.

Adverbs can be formed by adding '-mente' to the feminine form (which is the same as masculine for 'e' endings).

Intermitentemente.

Adjectives usually follow the noun in Portuguese.

Chuva intermitente (Natural) vs. Intermitente chuva (Poetic/Rare).

The verb 'estar' is used for temporary states or conditions.

A internet está intermitente (implies it's a current problem).

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Exemples par niveau

A luz está intermitente.

The light is intermittent (on and off).

Intermitente is singular and matches the feminine noun 'luz'.

Chuva intermitente hoje.

Intermittent rain today.

Adjectives usually come after the noun in Portuguese.

O rádio tem um som intermitente.

The radio has an intermittent sound.

'Som' is masculine, but 'intermitente' stays the same.

Eu vejo um brilho intermitente.

I see an intermittent glow.

The verb 'ver' (to see) is used here in the first person.

O sinal é intermitente.

The signal is intermittent.

'Sinal' is a common masculine noun for technology.

A campainha está intermitente.

The doorbell is intermittent.

The verb 'estar' indicates a temporary state/condition.

Temos luzes intermitentes na árvore.

We have intermittent lights on the tree.

Plural form: 'luzes' (nouns) + 'intermitentes' (adjectives).

O motor faz um barulho intermitente.

The engine makes an intermittent noise.

'Barulho' is the standard word for noise/sound.

Eu faço jejum intermitente.

I do intermittent fasting.

A very common modern phrase in Brazil and Portugal.

A internet está intermitente agora.

The internet is intermittent right now.

Use 'está' because the internet problem is temporary.

Ele tem um trabalho intermitente.

He has an intermittent job.

Refers to a job that isn't every day.

Sinto uma dor intermitente aqui.

I feel an intermittent pain here.

The verb 'sentir' is used for physical sensations.

O alerta foi intermitente à noite.

The alert was intermittent at night.

Past tense of 'ser' (foi) used for a completed event.

As estrelas têm um brilho intermitente.

The stars have an intermittent glow.

Twinkling is perceived as intermittent light.

O vento é intermitente na praia.

The wind is intermittent at the beach.

Describes a natural characteristic of the location.

O serviço de ônibus é intermitente.

The bus service is intermittent.

Implies the service is unreliable or has gaps.

O paciente apresenta febre intermitente.

The patient presents with intermittent fever.

'Apresentar' is a formal verb used in medical contexts.

A produção foi intermitente no mês passado.

Production was intermittent last month.

Refers to industrial or business output.

Houve um fornecimento intermitente de água.

There was an intermittent supply of water.

'Houve' is the past tense of 'haver' (there was).

O barulho intermitente me impediu de dormir.

The intermittent noise prevented me from sleeping.

The adjective identifies the specific cause of the problem.

Ela estuda de forma intermitente.

She studies intermittently.

'De forma intermitente' functions as an adverbial phrase.

O riacho tem um fluxo intermitente.

The stream has an intermittent flow.

Commonly used in geography to describe seasonal rivers.

Sua participação nas aulas é intermitente.

Your participation in classes is intermittent.

Describes a pattern of behavior or attendance.

O motorista usou o limpador intermitente.

The driver used the intermittent wiper.

Refers to the specific setting on a car's wipers.

O país vive um crescimento intermitente.

The country is experiencing intermittent growth.

Used in economic analysis to show lack of stability.

O contrato intermitente gera polêmica no Brasil.

The intermittent contract causes controversy in Brazil.

Refers to a specific legal work arrangement.

A luz intermitente do farol guia os navios.

The lighthouse's intermittent light guides the ships.

A classic example of purposeful intermittent action.

Os sintomas são intermitentes e variados.

The symptoms are intermittent and varied.

Plural agreement for both adjectives.

A comunicação foi intermitente durante a crise.

Communication was intermittent during the crisis.

Describes the difficulty of staying in touch.

O som intermitente da goteira é irritante.

The intermittent sound of the leak is annoying.

'Goteira' is the word for a leak from a roof or ceiling.

Eles mantêm um diálogo intermitente há anos.

They have maintained an intermittent dialogue for years.

Used for relationships or diplomatic talks.

A fonte de energia é intermitente por natureza.

The energy source is intermittent by nature.

Often used in discussions about renewable energy.

A memória é um processo intermitente e falho.

Memory is an intermittent and flawed process.

Philosophical or psychological usage.

O autor utiliza um estilo intermitente de narrativa.

The author uses an intermittent narrative style.

Literary criticism describing structure.

A intermitência dos sinais sugere uma falha grave.

The intermittency of the signals suggests a serious failure.

Using the noun form 'intermitência' for abstraction.

Atenção intermitente pode prejudicar o aprendizado.

Intermittent attention can hinder learning.

Academic observation about cognitive focus.

O regime intermitente de chuvas alterou a fauna.

The intermittent rain regime altered the fauna.

Scientific usage in ecology or biology.

Sua presença na vida do filho era intermitente.

His presence in his son's life was intermittent.

Deeply emotional and descriptive usage.

O brilho intermitente da estrela intriga os astrônomos.

The star's intermittent glow intrigues astronomers.

Technical observation in the physical sciences.

A aplicação intermitente da lei causa insegurança.

The intermittent application of the law causes insecurity.

Political or legal critique.

A consciência, em seu estado mais puro, é intermitente.

Consciousness, in its purest state, is intermittent.

Metaphysical or high-level philosophical discourse.

O fluxo intermitente de consciência define o modernismo.

The intermittent stream of consciousness defines modernism.

Sophisticated literary theory.

A política externa foi marcada por esforços intermitentes.

Foreign policy was marked by intermittent efforts.

High-level political history analysis.

A intermitência existencial é um tema recorrente na obra.

Existential intermittency is a recurring theme in the work.

Advanced abstract noun usage.

O caráter intermitente da inovação impede o progresso linear.

The intermittent nature of innovation prevents linear progress.

Business or philosophical theory on progress.

Observou-se uma descarga intermitente de neurotransmissores.

An intermittent discharge of neurotransmitters was observed.

Highly specialized medical/biological description.

A luz intermitente da razão clareia as trevas da ignorância.

The intermittent light of reason clears the darkness of ignorance.

Metaphorical and poetic high-register usage.

A sucessão intermitente de governos fragilizou as instituições.

The intermittent succession of governments weakened the institutions.

Complex sociopolitical analysis.

Collocations courantes

jejum intermitente

chuva intermitente

sinal intermitente

febre intermitente

trabalho intermitente

luz intermitente

dor intermitente

ruído intermitente

fluxo intermitente

falha intermitente

Phrases Courantes

de forma intermitente

— Doing something in an intermittent way. It acts as an adverb.

Ele trabalha de forma intermitente para várias empresas.

funcionamento intermitente

— A state where a machine or system is not running steadily.

O elevador está com funcionamento intermitente hoje.

período intermitente

— A specific timeframe that is characterized by gaps.

Houve um período intermitente de paz entre as guerras.

iluminação intermitente

— Lighting that flashes or turns on and off.

A boate tinha uma iluminação intermitente muito forte.

serviço intermitente

— A service that is provided only at certain times or is unreliable.

O serviço de coleta de lixo é intermitente nesta rua.

presença intermitente

— Being present only some of the time.

Sua presença intermitente nas reuniões foi notada.

uso intermitente

— Using something only once in a while or with breaks.

O uso intermitente do medicamento é recomendado.

contato intermitente

— Staying in touch but with long gaps in communication.

Eles mantêm um contato intermitente via e-mail.

brilho intermitente

— A light source that flickers or pulses.

Vimos um brilho intermitente no horizonte.

atenção intermitente

— Focus that comes and goes.

A atenção intermitente dos alunos é um desafio.

Souvent confondu avec

intermitente vs periódico

Periódico means it has a fixed, regular schedule. Intermitente means it stops and starts, often irregularly.

intermitente vs esporádico

Esporádico means it happens very rarely. Intermitente means it happens repeatedly with gaps.

intermitente vs irregular

Irregular means the pattern is messy. Intermitente specifically highlights the 'on/off' nature.

Expressions idiomatiques

"vai e vem"

— Used to describe something that moves back and forth or appears and disappears. Not an idiom for 'intermitente' but a common colloquial alternative.

A luz está num vai e vem danado.

Informal

"pisca-pisca"

— Literally 'blink-blink'. Refers to Christmas lights or any light that is intermitente.

Comprei um pisca-pisca novo para a árvore.

Informal

"aos trancos e barrancos"

— Doing something with great difficulty and in a jerky, non-continuous way.

O projeto seguiu aos trancos e barrancos.

Colloquial

"entre idas e vindas"

— Used to describe a relationship or process that has many breaks and returns.

Entre idas e vindas, eles estão juntos há dez anos.

Neutral

"uma hora sim, outra não"

— A very literal way to describe something intermittent.

A internet funciona uma hora sim, outra não.

Very Informal

"de vez em quando"

— From time to time. A simpler way to express sporadic or intermittent frequency.

Eu vou à academia de vez em quando.

Neutral

"aos soluços"

— Literally 'with hiccups'. Describes a process that keeps stopping and starting abruptly.

A economia cresce aos soluços.

Metaphorical

"pinga-pinga"

— Used for a slow, intermittent leak or a slow trickle of information/money.

O governo liberou a verba no pinga-pinga.

Informal

"dar um tempo"

— To take a break. Can be part of an intermittent process.

Vamos dar um tempo e voltar depois.

Informal

"fogo de palha"

— Something that starts intensely but stops very quickly. A form of short-lived intermittent action.

O interesse dele por violão foi fogo de palha.

Informal

Facile à confondre

intermitente vs intermitente

Cognate with English but has specific legal and health uses.

In Portuguese, it is very commonly associated with 'fasting' and 'labor contracts'.

O jejum intermitente é uma prática comum.

intermitente vs alternado

Both involve change.

Alternado is a 1-2-1-2 switch. Intermitente is action-gap-action.

Eles trabalham em dias alternados.

intermitente vs pulsante

Both describe a rhythmic change.

Pulsante implies a vibration or a beat (like a heart). Intermitente implies a full stop.

A luz pulsante da discoteca era muito forte.

intermitente vs instável

Both describe something not constant.

Instável means it might break or change character. Intermitente means it definitely stops and starts.

O tempo está instável hoje.

intermitente vs vago

Sometimes used for 'occasional'.

Vago means empty or imprecise. Intermitente is a description of frequency.

Ele deu uma resposta vaga.

Structures de phrases

A [noun] está intermitente.

A luz está intermitente.

Eu faço [noun] intermitente.

Eu faço jejum intermitente.

O [noun] é intermitente e [adjective].

O sinal é intermitente e fraco.

Devido ao [noun] intermitente, [consequence].

Devido ao sinal intermitente, perdi a aula.

A [noun] de forma intermitente causou [result].

A chuva de forma intermitente causou alagamentos.

A intermitência do [abstract noun] reflete [observation].

A intermitência do afeto reflete a insegurança dele.

Any

Sinto uma [noun] intermitente.

Sinto uma dor intermitente.

Any

O [noun] apresenta falhas intermitentes.

O motor apresenta falhas intermitentes.

Famille de mots

Noms

intermitência (intermittency)

Verbes

intermitir (to be intermittent - very rare, usually 'ser intermitente' is used)

Adjectifs

intermitente

Apparenté

intervalo

interrupção

missão

mitigação

transmissão

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

High in technical, health, and weather contexts. Common in modern lifestyle discussions (diet).

Erreurs courantes

Using 'intermitenta' for feminine nouns. → intermitente
Adjectives ending in 'e' are uniform. They do not change for gender. 'A luz intermitente' is correct.
Confusing 'intermitente' with 'periódico'. → Use 'intermitente' for irregular intervals.
Something periodic has a fixed rhythm. Something intermittent just stops and starts, often without a set schedule.
Pronouncing the final 'e' as a strong 'é'. → Pronounce it as a soft 'i' or 'ee'.
In Portuguese, unstressed final 'e' is very weak. Saying 'intermitent-É' sounds like you are emphasizing the wrong part.
Spelling it as 'intermitenti'. → intermitente
Even though it sounds like 'i' at the end in Brazil, the written letter is always 'e'.
Using 'intermitente' for people's personalities. → inconstante / instável
'Intermitente' is usually for processes, signals, or physical things. For a person's character, use 'inconstante'.

Astuces

One Ending for All

Remember that adjectives ending in 'e' like 'intermitente' are gender-neutral. You don't need to change it to 'intermitenta' for feminine nouns. This applies to many other words like 'inteligente' and 'forte'.

The Fasting Connection

If you want to remember this word, just think of 'jejum intermitente'. It's so common in modern culture that it acts as a perfect anchor for the word in your memory.

Nasal 'In'

The first syllable 'in' is nasal. Don't pronounce the 'n' fully with your tongue against your teeth; instead, let the sound vibrate in your nose, like the 'an' in 'pancake'.

Tech Talk

When your internet is bad, don't just say it's 'ruim' (bad). Say it's 'intermitente'. It sounds more precise and will help technicians understand that the signal is dropping in and out.

Adverb Alternative

Instead of the long word 'intermitentemente', try using 'de forma intermitente'. It flows better in sentences and is more common in natural-sounding Portuguese.

Mechanical Issues

If your car makes a noise only sometimes, tell the mechanic it's a 'barulho intermitente'. This is a key detail for diagnosing electrical or mechanical ghosts.

Not Periodic

Always distinguish between 'intermitente' and 'periódico'. If it has a timer, it's periodic. If it's random and broken, it's intermittent.

Latin Roots

Think of 'mission' (sending). 'Inter-mission' is a break in the sending. That's exactly what something intermittent is—a process with breaks.

Pluralize Correctly

When describing multiple things, don't forget the 's'. 'Sinais intermitentes' is the plural form. The adjective must agree with the noun in number.

Labor Laws

In Brazil, if you hear 'contrato intermitente', it refers to a specific type of on-call employment. It's a useful term to know if you're reading business news.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of an 'INTERnet' that is 'MITten-te'. Imagine your internet signal is so cold it needs mittens, making it work only 'on and off'.

Association visuelle

Visualize a heart monitor (EKG) with a steady line that suddenly jumps, then goes flat, then jumps again. That 'jump-gap-jump' is intermitente.

Word Web

Jejum Sinal Luz Chuva Dor Trabalho Febre Ruído

Défi

Try to find three things in your house today that are 'intermitentes'. Is it a noisy fridge? A flickering light? Your own motivation to study?

Origine du mot

From the Latin 'intermittens', which is the present participle of 'intermittere'.

Sens originel : To leave off, to leave an interval, or to let go in between.

Romance (Latin root: inter- 'between' + mittere 'to send/let go').

Contexte culturel

When discussing 'trabalho intermitente' in Brazil, be aware it can be a sensitive political topic regarding worker rights.

English speakers use 'intermittent' exactly the same way, but Portuguese speakers use it slightly more often for everyday annoyances like Wi-Fi.

The movie 'As Intermitências da Morte' (Death with Interruptions) by José Saramago. Medical journals discussing 'Malária e febre intermitente'. Brazilian Labor Law (CLT) Article 443.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Technology Troubleshooting

conexão intermitente
sinal caiu de novo
falha no hardware
oscilação de rede

Health and Diet

fazer jejum
janela de alimentação
dor que vai e volta
pico de febre

Weather Reports

períodos de sol
pancadas de chuva
tempo instável
céu nublado

Work and Law

carteira assinada
horas trabalhadas
convocação prévia
período de inatividade

Automotive/Mechanical

luz do painel
limpador de para-brisa
barulho estranho
motor falhando

Amorces de conversation

"Você já tentou fazer jejum intermitente para emagrecer ou ter mais saúde?"

"O que você faz quando sua internet fica intermitente durante uma reunião?"

"Você prefere chuva constante ou chuva intermitente quando está em casa?"

"Na sua opinião, o trabalho intermitente é bom para a economia do país?"

"Você já teve algum problema no carro que era intermitente e difícil de consertar?"

Sujets d'écriture

Descreva um dia em que seu progresso em alguma tarefa foi intermitente. Por que isso aconteceu?

Escreva sobre uma dor ou sensação física intermitente que você já sentiu e como lidou com ela.

Como você se sente quando a comunicação com um amigo se torna intermitente ao longo dos anos?

Reflita sobre o conceito de 'atenção intermitente' no mundo digital de hoje.

Imagine um mundo onde a gravidade fosse intermitente. Como seria a vida cotidiana?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, it is a uniform adjective. You use 'intermitente' for both 'o sinal' (masculine) and 'a luz' (feminine). Only the plural changes to 'intermitentes'. This makes it easier for learners as they don't have to worry about the 'o/a' ending.

Intermitente suggests a repetitive cycle of stopping and starting within a process (like a flickering light). Esporádico suggests something that happens very rarely and without a clear connection between events (like a rare meteor shower). Use intermitente for things that 'keep coming back' and esporádico for things that 'hardly ever happen'.

It is 'jejum intermitente'. This is a very popular term in Brazil and Portugal for the health practice of cycling between eating and fasting windows. You will see it in magazines, gyms, and health blogs everywhere.

Usually, no. If you call a person 'intermitente', it sounds mechanical. If you mean they are unreliable or change their mind, use 'inconstante' or 'instável'. However, you can say 'trabalhador intermitente' to refer to their specific legal employment contract type.

It is neutral to formal. It is perfectly fine in a casual conversation about Wi-Fi, but it is also the technical term used by doctors and engineers. In very casual speech, people might say 'que vai e volta' instead.

Yes, the verb is 'intermitir', but it is extremely rare in modern Portuguese. Most speakers will simply use the verb 'ser' or 'estar' with the adjective, such as 'O sinal está intermitente'.

In most parts of Brazil, including Rio and São Paulo, the final 'te' is pronounced like the 'chi' in 'chicken' (tchee). In the south of Brazil and in Portugal, it is a softer 'te' sound, closer to the 't' in 'set'.

It is a legal work arrangement where the employee doesn't have a fixed schedule and is only called to work when the employer needs them. They are paid by the hour or day worked. It is a controversial topic related to modern labor laws.

Yes, 'chuva intermitente' is the standard way to describe rain that stops and starts throughout the day. You will hear meteorologists use this term frequently in weather forecasts.

In Portuguese, it is spelled with only one 'm': i-n-t-e-r-m-i-t-e-n-t-e. This is different from some other languages, so be careful with the spelling!

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Teste-toi 99 questions

writing

Write a sentence in Portuguese describing a bad internet connection using 'intermitente'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

This uses the verb 'estar' and the correct adjective placement.