katkonaisesti

Katkonaisesti is a Finnish adverb that translates to "intermittently," "sporadically," or "by fits and starts" in English. It describes an action or state that occurs at irregular intervals, with pauses or interruptions between occurrences. The word is derived from "katko," meaning "break" or "interruption."

When something happens katkonaisesti, it is not continuous or steady. For example, a signal might be received katkonaisesti, indicating that it is sometimes present and sometimes absent. A person might feel katkonaisesti tired, meaning their fatigue comes and goes rather than being constant. Similarly, progress on a project could be described as katkonaisesti, suggesting that work proceeds for a while, then stops, then resumes again. The adverb emphasizes the uneven and non-uniform nature of the event or situation. It suggests a lack of flow and a pattern of discontinuity. The opposite of katkonaisesti would be continuous, steady, or regular.