In 15 Seconds
- Means 'for a while' or 'temporarily'.
- Used for non-permanent life situations.
- Always uses 'un' because 'temps' is masculine.
Meaning
This phrase means 'for a while' or 'for a period of time.' It is used to describe a temporary situation that doesn't have a fixed end date yet.
Key Examples
3 of 6Moving to a new city
Je vais habiter à Lyon pour un temps.
I am going to live in Lyon for a while.
Taking a temporary job
C'est un travail pour un temps seulement.
It's a job for a time only.
Texting a friend about a break
Je fais une pause avec les réseaux sociaux pour un temps.
I'm taking a break from social media for a while.
Cultural Background
The French 'CDD' (Contrat à Durée Déterminée) is a very common way to work 'pour un temps'. It's a major part of the youth employment culture. Quebecers might use 'pour un boutte' instead of 'pour un temps' in casual conversation. It sounds very local and friendly. In many African French-speaking countries, 'le temps' is viewed more fluidly. 'Pour un temps' might imply a much longer stay than in Europe. Swiss French is often very precise. You might hear 'pour un temps déterminé' more often than the vague 'pour un temps'.
Gender Alert
Never say 'pour une temps'. It's the most common mistake for beginners. 'Temps' is always masculine.
The 'S' is Silent
Don't pronounce the 's' at the end of 'temps'. It sounds like 'tah'.
In 15 Seconds
- Means 'for a while' or 'temporarily'.
- Used for non-permanent life situations.
- Always uses 'un' because 'temps' is masculine.
What It Means
Think of pour un temps as your go-to phrase for anything temporary. It’s like saying "for now" or "for a bit." It suggests that whatever you are doing isn't your forever plan. You are just passing through or trying something out. It’s a very handy way to keep your options open without committing to a specific deadline.
How To Use It
You usually drop this at the end of a sentence to describe how long an action will last. It follows a verb. For example, if you are staying at a friend's place, you’d say Je reste ici pour un temps. It’s simple, flexible, and doesn't require complex grammar. Just remember that temps is masculine, so it is always un, never une!
When To Use It
This is perfect for those "in-between" moments in life. Use it when you are talking about a temporary job, a short-term living situation, or even a phase in a relationship. If you are texting a friend about a new hobby you’ve picked up, you might say you're doing it pour un temps. It’s great for casual conversations where you don't want to sound too clinical or precise.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this if you have a very specific duration in mind. If you are staying for exactly three days, say pour trois jours. Also, avoid it if you mean "for the time being" in a more formal or immediate sense—for that, pour le moment is a better fit. And definitely don't use it for permanent things; saying you're married pour un temps might get you some very worried looks from your spouse!
Cultural Background
In France, there is a certain appreciation for the 'provisoire' (the temporary). Whether it's the famous CDD (temporary work contracts) or the way people move to the city for a few years before heading back to the countryside, the French understand that life happens in chapters. Pour un temps captures that feeling of a chapter that is currently being written, but isn't the whole book.
Common Variations
You might hear pour un certain temps, which adds a bit more weight, meaning "for a considerable while." There is also pour un court temps if you want to emphasize that the period is quite short. If you want to sound a bit more poetic, you might hear someone say le temps d'un instant, though that's much shorter than our phrase!
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral and widely applicable. The most important thing to remember is the masculine gender of 'temps'.
Gender Alert
Never say 'pour une temps'. It's the most common mistake for beginners. 'Temps' is always masculine.
The 'S' is Silent
Don't pronounce the 's' at the end of 'temps'. It sounds like 'tah'.
Add 'Certain'
Saying 'pour un certain temps' sounds more natural and native-like in most conversations.
Vagueness is Okay
It's perfectly polite in France to say you're staying 'pour un temps' if you don't want to share your exact plans.
Examples
6Je vais habiter à Lyon pour un temps.
I am going to live in Lyon for a while.
The speaker doesn't know exactly when they will leave.
C'est un travail pour un temps seulement.
It's a job for a time only.
Emphasizes that the position is not permanent.
Je fais une pause avec les réseaux sociaux pour un temps.
I'm taking a break from social media for a while.
A common way to announce a temporary absence.
Je suis au régime... enfin, pour un temps !
I'm on a diet... well, for a time!
Implies the diet won't last very long.
Nous suspendons le projet pour un temps indéterminé.
We are suspending the project for an indefinite time.
The addition of 'indéterminé' makes it more formal.
Nous vivons séparés pour un temps.
We are living apart for a time.
Used to describe a sensitive, temporary life change.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct article (un/une).
Je vais à Lyon pour ___ temps.
'Temps' is a masculine noun in French.
Which sentence means 'I am staying for a while'?
Choose the correct translation:
'Pour' is used for intended future duration.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Tu habites où ? B: Chez mes parents, mais c'est seulement ___.
The context implies a temporary living situation.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are taking a 2-month break from work.
'Un temps' is appropriate for a multi-month duration.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Pour vs Pendant
Practice Bank
4 exercisesJe vais à Lyon pour ___ temps.
'Temps' is a masculine noun in French.
Choose the correct translation:
'Pour' is used for intended future duration.
A: Tu habites où ? B: Chez mes parents, mais c'est seulement ___.
The context implies a temporary living situation.
You are taking a 2-month break from work.
'Un temps' is appropriate for a multi-month duration.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt's neutral. You can use it with friends or at work.
No, use 'pendant un temps' for the past.
Usually weeks or months. For minutes, use 'un moment'.
It's a leftover from the Latin word 'tempus'. It doesn't mean it's plural.
It's better to say 'pour un court moment' or 'pour un petit moment'.
Yes, but 'pour un temps' is more common in spoken language.
No, 'temps' means weather, but this phrase only refers to duration.
The opposite is 'pour toujours' (forever) or 'définitivement'.
No, the 'p' and 's' are silent.
Yes, but they also use 'pour un boutte'.
Related Phrases
pour un moment
similarfor a moment
pendant quelque temps
synonymfor some time
provisoirement
specialized formprovisionally
pour toujours
contrastforever
à temps partiel
builds onpart-time
