不断 和 不停
不断: continually, again and again (growth, change); 不停: non-stop, without a pause (an action)
Structure
不断 动词（变化、发展） · 不停地 动作 · 动词 个不停
What it means
不断 is for something that keeps happening or growing, even with gaps; 不停 is for one action that runs on without a break.
How it is built
不断 + verb of change: 不断提高 (keep improving). 不停地 + action: 不停地看手机 (check the phone nonstop). Verb + 个不停: 雨下个不停 (the rain won’t stop).
When to use it
不断 suits formal writing and growth (不断发展, 不断增加), and can end a sentence: 事故不断, 好消息不断. 不停 is everyday speech for a continuous action.
Watch out
✗ 不停提高 ✓ 不断提高. ✗ 下个不断 ✓ 下个不停: only 不停 fits 动词 + 个 + 不停 (lesson 2-13).
Examples
补习机构的广告也在不断提醒我们。
The tutoring firms’ adverts kept on reminding us.
班里的家长群一天到晚响个不停。
The class parents’ group chat pinged non-stop from morning to night.
只有不断学习，才能跟上时代。
Only by learning all the time can you keep up with the times.
孩子发烧了，一晚上不停地哭。
The child had a fever and cried all night without stopping.
Learn this in Lesson 48 · HSK 5–6: 鸡娃与双减 (Education pressure and the tutoring ban)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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