暂时的
zànshí de
The English word 'temporary' is translated into Chinese as 暂时的 (zànshí de).
暂时的 is an adjective used to describe something that is for a limited time, ephemeral or not constant. While 暂时的 describes a temporary state of being, if you are referring to a person hired on a temporary basis, you should use the colloquial term 临时工 (temporary worker/casual laborer).
Meaning: for a limited time, ephemeral, not constant (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The core of the word is 暂时, which consists of 暂 (to pause or delay) and 时 (time), literally meaning 'a moment's time'.
Which one should you use?
暂时的 is the antonym of 永久的 (permanent). Additionally, the word 临时 can be used as an adjective meaning 'provisional' or 'makeshift', such as in the phrase 'a provisional decision'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle 的 is added to 暂时 to allow it to function as an adjective that modifies a noun.
How do you pronounce it?
zànshí de
Did you know?
- In modern digital slang, calling someone a 临时工 (temporary worker) can be used as a biting political metaphor to imply a person is acting as a scapegoat or lacks official authority.
- The word 临时 (temporary) can be used to describe 'impromptu' actions, such as 临时决定, which refers to a decision made on the spur of the moment rather than a scheduled one.
- In Chinese, the character 暂 (zàn) literally carries the nuance of 'pausing' or 'delaying', suggesting that a temporary state is just a momentary halt in a continuous flow.
Examples in context
- 他们说情况只是暂时的。They said the situation was only temporary.This sentence uses 暂时的 to describe a temporary situation.Tatoeba #5911616 by verdastelo9604, translation #802472 by Source_VOA
- 形式是暂时的，等级才是永恒的。Form is temporary, class is permanent.This sentence uses 暂时的 to contrast a temporary state with something permanent.Tatoeba #2431737 by fenfang557, translation #1501667 by fenfang557
- 这种困难只是暂时的。Zhè zhǒng kùnnán zhǐshì zànshí de.This kind of difficulty is only temporary.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a recent job change.
- 雨婷 Yuting你现在的职位是暂时的吗？Nǐ xiànzài de zhíwèi shì zànshí de ma?Is your current position temporary?
- 俊杰 Junjie是的，只是三个月的合同。Shì de, zhǐshì sān gè yuè de hétóng.Yes, it is just a three-month contract.
- 雨婷 Yuting没关系，这能锻炼你。Méiguānxì, zhè néng duànliàn nǐ.It's okay, this can train you.
- 俊杰 Junjie谢谢雨婷的鼓励。Xièxiè Yǔtíng de gǔlì.Thanks for the encouragement, Yuting.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
