intérimaire
An intérimaire person or thing is filling a role for a short time until a permanent replacement is found.
Erklärung auf deinem Niveau:
If you are new to English, think of intérimaire as a 'temporary' worker. It is a person who works for a short time. They are not the permanent boss. They are just there for a little while. You use this word when talking about jobs or work.
Intérimaire describes a temporary role. If a manager leaves, the company needs someone to do the job for a few months. That person is an intérimaire employee. It means they are not staying forever, just until a new person is hired.
This is a formal adjective used to describe positions or staff that are not permanent. It is very common in business. You might say, 'The company hired an intérimaire consultant to help with the project.' It implies a short-term contract or a transition period.
In professional settings, intérimaire highlights the temporary nature of an appointment. It serves as a synonym for 'interim' or 'provisional.' Using this word shows you understand formal workplace terminology and can distinguish between permanent staff and those filling a gap.
The term carries a specific nuance of administrative necessity. It suggests that the role is essential for continuity but is essentially a placeholder. It is often found in corporate reports or legal documents where the exact status of a position needs to be clearly defined as non-permanent.
Beyond simple employment, intérimaire can describe the state of being in a transitional phase. It reflects a sophisticated understanding of organizational structure, where roles are often fluid. In literary or academic contexts, it can even metaphorically describe a person's life or status as 'provisional' or 'waiting for the next stage.' It is a precise, elegant way to describe the 'meanwhile' state of any professional or social arrangement.
Wort in 30 Sekunden
- Means temporary or placeholder.
- Used in professional business settings.
- Comes from the Latin 'meanwhile'.
- Pronounced in-te-RAY-mair.
The word intérimaire is a French loanword often used in English-speaking professional environments, especially in Canada or international business. It describes something that is temporary or serves as a placeholder.
Think of it as a bridge. When a company loses a manager, they might hire someone on an intérimaire basis to keep things running smoothly until they find the perfect permanent fit. It isn't meant to last forever; it's just a way to keep the gears turning in the meantime.
You will mostly hear this in formal settings, like HR departments or government offices. It carries a sense of transience—it's a state of 'being in between' that is strictly limited by time or circumstance.
The word comes directly from the Latin interim, which literally means 'meanwhile' or 'in the meantime.' It is a combination of inter (between) and im (a variation of is, meaning 'that').
Historically, the term was used in ecclesiastical and legal documents to describe temporary arrangements during periods of religious or political upheaval. When the French adopted it as intérimaire, it became a standard way to describe a 'temporary worker' or 'interim role.'
Because English often borrows from French for administrative and legal terminology, the word found its way into international business English. It remains a sophisticated way to describe someone who is 'just passing through' a specific job title.
In English, you are more likely to hear the word 'interim' used as an adjective (e.g., 'interim manager'). However, intérimaire is used in specific regions or industries that maintain a strong French influence.
It is almost exclusively used in professional or corporate contexts. You wouldn't say your 'intérimaire sandwich' is waiting for you; that would sound very strange! Instead, you use it for roles, contracts, and administrative positions.
Common pairings include travail intérimaire (temporary work) or employé intérimaire (temporary employee). It is a formal register word, so keep it for your resume or business emails rather than casual chats with friends.
While intérimaire itself isn't part of many idioms, it relates to the concept of time-limited work. Here are five expressions about temporary states:
- Stop-gap measure: A temporary fix for a problem.
- Holding the fort: Taking care of business while the person in charge is away.
- In the interim: The time between two events.
- Filling the shoes: Taking over a role, often temporarily.
- On a trial basis: Testing a role to see if it works out.
As an adjective, intérimaire is invariable in English usage, meaning it doesn't change form whether the noun is singular or plural. In French, it follows standard gender and number rules, but in English, just treat it like any other adjective.
The pronunciation is typically an-te-ree-MAIR. The stress falls on the final syllable, which is typical for words with French roots. It rhymes with words like air, care, and fair.
Because it is a loanword, some English speakers might struggle with the 'r' at the end. Focus on a soft, trailing sound rather than a hard, guttural 'r'.
Wusstest du?
It comes from the Latin 'inter' (between) + 'im' (that time).
Aussprachehilfe
in-te-RAY-mair
in-te-RAY-mer
Häufige Fehler
- dropping the final 'r'
- stressing the first syllable
- mispronouncing the 'ai' sound
Reimt sich auf
Schwierigkeitsgrad
easy to read
needs formal context
needs correct pronunciation
clear
Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest
Voraussetzungen
Als Nächstes lernen
Fortgeschritten
Wichtige Grammatik
Adjective placement
The intérimaire worker.
Loanwords in English
Using French terms.
Articles with nouns
An intérimaire.
Beispiele nach Niveau
He is an intérimaire worker.
temporary worker
used as an adjective
The job is intérimaire.
not permanent
adjective
She is an intérimaire.
temporary staff
noun usage
It is an intérimaire position.
short-term role
adjective
They need an intérimaire.
someone temporary
noun
The contract is intérimaire.
temporary contract
adjective
Is he intérimaire?
is he temporary?
question form
We hired an intérimaire.
temporary hire
past tense
The office hired an intérimaire manager.
My contract is strictly intérimaire.
He works in an intérimaire capacity.
They are looking for an intérimaire solution.
The role is currently intérimaire.
She is an intérimaire assistant.
We need an intérimaire for the summer.
It is only an intérimaire arrangement.
The board appointed an intérimaire director.
His status remains intérimaire until December.
We have several intérimaire staff members.
The project requires an intérimaire lead.
She accepted an intérimaire position.
The company policy covers intérimaire workers.
It is a standard intérimaire contract.
They are filling the gap with an intérimaire.
The intérimaire CEO managed the transition.
He served in an intérimaire role for six months.
The agency provides highly skilled intérimaire personnel.
An intérimaire solution was necessary to keep operations running.
The intérimaire staff were integrated into the team.
She held an intérimaire appointment during the merger.
The committee sought an intérimaire chairperson.
The position is intérimaire by design.
The intérimaire nature of the appointment caused some uncertainty.
He functioned as an intérimaire authority during the crisis.
The organization relies on an intérimaire workforce.
The intérimaire phase of the project is nearing completion.
She was tasked with an intérimaire oversight role.
The intérimaire arrangement proved to be quite efficient.
They opted for an intérimaire hire to save costs.
The intérimaire status does not include full benefits.
The intérimaire governance structure was merely a stop-gap.
His tenure was strictly intérimaire, pending the final vote.
The intérimaire designation belied his immense influence.
The company navigated the crisis using an intérimaire leadership team.
The intérimaire status provided the necessary flexibility.
They formalized the intérimaire agreement last week.
The intérimaire nature of the office was palpable.
He accepted the intérimaire mantle with grace.
Häufige Kollokationen
Redewendungen & Ausdrücke
"In the interim"
During the time between events
In the interim, we will continue working.
formal"Stop-gap measure"
A temporary solution
This is just a stop-gap measure.
neutral"Holding the fort"
Managing things temporarily
I'm holding the fort while he's away.
casual"Filling a void"
Replacing someone or something missing
He is filling a void in the team.
neutral"Wait and see"
Delaying a decision
We have a wait and see approach.
casualLeicht verwechselbar
similar sound
Internal means inside, intérimaire means temporary
Internal audit vs intérimaire staff.
same meaning
Interim is English, intérimaire is French
Interim manager vs intérimaire manager.
same meaning
Temporary is common, intérimaire is formal
Temporary help vs intérimaire help.
similar concept
Provisional implies a trial, intérimaire implies a gap
Provisional license vs intérimaire role.
Satzmuster
Subject + is + an + intérimaire + noun
He is an intérimaire manager.
The + noun + is + intérimaire
The contract is intérimaire.
We + hired + an + intérimaire
We hired an intérimaire.
He + acts + in + an + intérimaire + capacity
He acts in an intérimaire capacity.
The + intérimaire + role + requires + skill
The intérimaire role requires skill.
Wortfamilie
Substantive
Verben
Adjektive
Verwandt
So verwendest du es
4
Förmlichkeitsskala
Tipps
When to use
Use only in professional settings.
Say it clearly
Focus on the 'mair' sound.
Flashcards
Pair with 'temporary'.
French origin
Remember the French roots.
Adjective usage
It describes nouns.
Don't over-use
It sounds pretentious in casual talk.
Latin roots
It means 'meanwhile'.
Storytelling
Create a story about a temporary job.
Contextualize
Use it in a mock resume.
Synonym check
Swap with 'interim' to see if it fits.
Einprägen
Eselsbrücke
In-ter-im-aire: In the time, I am air (passing through).
Visuelle Assoziation
A person wearing a badge that says 'Temporary'.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Use the word in a mock email.
Wortherkunft
Latin
Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: meanwhile
Kultureller Kontext
None
Used primarily in business and legal settings, often influenced by French-speaking regions.
Im Alltag üben
Kontexte aus dem Alltag
at work
- intérimaire contract
- intérimaire staff
- hiring an intérimaire
HR meetings
- intérimaire status
- intérimaire position
- filling an intérimaire role
business reports
- intérimaire solution
- intérimaire appointment
- intérimaire management
job interviews
- intérimaire opportunity
- intérimaire work
- intérimaire capacity
Gesprächseinstiege
"Have you ever had an intérimaire role?"
"Do you prefer permanent or intérimaire work?"
"Why do companies hire intérimaire staff?"
"Is it hard being an intérimaire employee?"
"What are the benefits of intérimaire contracts?"
Tagebuch-Impulse
Describe a time you had to fill in for someone.
What are the pros and cons of temporary work?
How does it feel to be in an intérimaire position?
Write about your ideal career path.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
8 FragenIt is a loanword used in English.
Usually for people or roles.
Yes, very.
In-te-RAY-mair.
Yes, they are very similar.
Yes, intérimaires.
Only in specific business contexts.
No, use 'temporary'.
Teste dich selbst
He is an ___ worker.
It describes the worker.
What does intérimaire mean?
It means temporary.
Intérimaire means forever.
It means temporary.
Word
Bedeutung
They are synonyms.
Subject-verb-adjective.
Ergebnis: /5
Summary
Intérimaire is a formal way to describe a temporary role or person filling a gap.
- Means temporary or placeholder.
- Used in professional business settings.
- Comes from the Latin 'meanwhile'.
- Pronounced in-te-RAY-mair.
When to use
Use only in professional settings.
Say it clearly
Focus on the 'mair' sound.
Flashcards
Pair with 'temporary'.
French origin
Remember the French roots.
Beispiel
Il occupe un poste intérimaire en attendant un contrat à long terme.
Verwandte Inhalte
Mehr work Wörter
à distance
A2Remotely, from a distance; not in person or on site.
à durée déterminée
B1For a fixed or definite period; fixed-term.
à durée indéterminée
B1For an indefinite period; permanent (e.g., contract).
à la fin
A2At the end, at the conclusion of something.
à la journée
B1Daily, by the day.
à la semaine
B1Weekly, by the week.
à l'année
B1Annually, by the year.
à l'attention de
B1Directed to; for the attention of.
à l'avance
A2In advance; beforehand.
à l'issue de
A2At the end of, following; upon the conclusion of.
