how to say “on and off” in Hebrew

[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/לסירוגין-#.m4a” /]לְסֵרוּגִין

Bars protecting your window from intruders – סורגים[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/לסירוגין-#.m4a” /] – have large gaps between them to let in the light and air.

This is the idea behind the originally-Mishnaic Hebrew word לסירוגין[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/לסירוגין-#.m4a” /], on and off or intermittently: there are gaps in time between events, such as moments of sleep.

For example:

[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/לסירוגין-#.m4a” /]היא זקוקה למנוחה – היא ישנה רק לסירוגין.

She’s in need of rest – she’s been sleeping only on and off.

and

[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/לסירוגין-#.m4a” /]הם זוג – לסירוגין.

They’re a couple – on and off.