Comparing "buduan" and "buting"
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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 being adjectives, these two words are adverbs to modify what is being done. 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.
Subject + 不断 + 地 + Verb
Examples
- 客户 不断地 改变 主意，怎么 办？
- 过去 的 两 年 里，我们 不断地 在 努力，也 不断地 在 进步。
- 他们 之间 的 矛盾 一直 不断，关系 不断 恶化。
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.
Subject + 不停 + 地 + Verb
Examples
- 我今天很困，不停地打哈欠。
- 感冒了，喉咙痛，还不停地留鼻水。
- 吃饭的时候他一句话也不说，不停地吃。
When "不停" comes after the verb, it behaves somewhat strangely and takes "个" before it in order to become grammatical, like so:
Subject + Verb + 个 + 不停
Examples
- 孩子 哭 个不停，是 不 是 发烧 了？
- 今天 电话 哭个不停，烦 死 了。
- 一天到晚 老婆 哭 个不停，你 受 得 了 吗？
