If something keeps happening and won't stop happening, we say that it is "continuous" or "incessant." In Chinese, the words are "不断" (bùduàn) and "不停" (bùtíng). Instead of usually being adjectives, these two words are usually adverbs (but they can sometimes be adjectives too!). However, they are used in different ways and different places, so this article will help you distinguish when and where to use them.

不断

"不断" is usually placed before the verb it modifies, and it often requires the particle "地" to show that it is an adverb.

Subj. + 不断 + 地 + Verb

Examples

不停

"不停" is a little more versatile and can be placed both before the verb as an adverb, or after the verb as something that is somewhat like a complement. Either way, it means the same thing.

Subj. + 不停 + 地 + Verb

Examples

When "不停" comes after the verb, it behaves somewhat strangely and takes "个" before it in order to become grammatical, like so:

Subj. + Verb + 个 + 不停

Examples

Sources and Further Reading

Category:grammar comparison