暂时性
Something that is temporary lasts for only a short time and is not permanent.
Explanation at your level:
Something is temporary when it is not forever. It is for a short time. You use it when you need something just for today or this week. For example, a temporary pen is one you use until you find your own. It helps you understand that things change.
When you have a temporary job, you only work there for a few months. It is not your permanent job. We use this word to talk about things that will end soon. It is very useful when you are traveling or moving to a new house.
The word temporary is common in daily life, especially when things break or change. You might need a temporary password for a website or a temporary parking spot. It describes a state that is expected to change in the near future, making it a key word for planning.
In professional settings, temporary is used to describe roles or solutions that bridge a gap. A temporary contract or a temporary measure indicates a clear distinction between what is currently happening and what is intended for the long term. It helps manage expectations in business and project management.
At an advanced level, temporary can describe abstract concepts like temporary insanity or a temporary lapse in judgment. It implies a deviation from the norm that is expected to resolve itself. Writers use it to contrast the fleeting nature of human emotion against the permanence of history or nature.
Mastery of temporary involves understanding its nuanced relationship with 'transient,' 'ephemeral,' and 'provisional.' While 'temporary' is neutral, 'ephemeral' suggests something beautiful but short-lived. Using 'temporary' effectively requires an awareness of the context—whether you are describing a physical object, a legal status, or an emotional state—ensuring that the duration implied is clear to the listener.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Means limited time
- Antonym of permanent
- Used as an adjective
- Common in business
When we describe something as temporary, we are highlighting that it is not meant to last forever. Think of it as a bridge between 'now' and 'later.' Whether it is a temporary shelter during a storm or a temporary fix for a leaky pipe, the core idea is that it is a stopgap measure.
It is important to remember that temporary things are often essential for solving immediate problems. They provide stability while we wait for a more permanent solution to arrive. You will find this word used everywhere from business meetings to everyday conversations about our changing plans.
The word temporary has deep roots in Latin. It comes from the word temporarius, which itself is derived from tempus, meaning 'time.' This is the same root that gives us words like 'tempo' in music and 'temporal' in physics.
Historically, the word evolved through Old French before entering the English language in the late 14th century. It originally referred to things that were 'of time' or 'limited by time.' Over the centuries, it solidified its meaning as the antonym of 'permanent,' helping us categorize the fleeting nature of our human experience.
You can use temporary in almost any setting, from casual chats to formal reports. It is highly versatile. Common collocations include temporary solution, temporary worker, and temporary address.
In a formal register, you might see it used in legal or medical contexts, such as a 'temporary injunction' or 'temporary relief.' In casual speech, you might say, 'This is just a temporary fix until I get the right part.' It is a neutral word that fits perfectly in any professional or social environment.
While 'temporary' itself isn't always in an idiom, it is often associated with phrases that describe time. 1. For the time being: Meaning for now. 2. Stopgap measure: A temporary solution. 3. Make-do: Using something temporary when the right thing isn't available. 4. In the interim: During the time between events. 5. Short-term: Limited in duration.
Temporary is an adjective. It is usually placed before a noun (e.g., 'a temporary job') or after a linking verb (e.g., 'the fix is temporary'). The IPA pronunciation is /ˈtɛmpəˌrɛri/ in American English, where the second 'r' is often clearly heard.
Rhyming words include 'contemporary' and 'extemporary.' Remember that it does not have a plural form because it is an adjective. It is a great word to pair with adverbs like 'only' or 'strictly' to emphasize its limited nature.
Fun Fact
It shares a root with 'tempus fugit' (time flies).
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'tem-puh-ruh-ree'.
Sounds like 'tem-puh-rer-ee'.
Common Errors
- Dropping the middle syllable
- Mispronouncing the 'rary' ending
- Confusing stress
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy
Easy
Easy
Easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Adjective placement
Temporary fix.
Linking verbs
It is temporary.
Adverb modification
Only temporary.
Examples by Level
This is a temporary home.
This is a home for a short time.
Adjective before noun.
The sign is temporary.
The sign will be taken down soon.
Adjective after verb.
I need a temporary bag.
I need a bag for now.
Simple sentence structure.
It is a temporary fix.
It works for now.
Common collocation.
Is this temporary?
Will this last forever?
Question form.
He has a temporary job.
He works there for a short time.
Adjective usage.
The bridge is temporary.
It is not a permanent bridge.
Descriptive adjective.
Keep it temporary.
Don't make it permanent.
Imperative command.
This is a temporary solution for the leak.
She is a temporary assistant at the office.
We have a temporary parking permit.
The pain is only temporary.
They are living in temporary housing.
I have a temporary account for the site.
The exhibition is temporary.
He took a temporary leave from work.
The company hired temporary staff for the holiday season.
The road closure is only temporary.
We used a temporary measure to keep the door shut.
His stay in the city was temporary.
They issued a temporary license to the driver.
The website is undergoing temporary maintenance.
I am using a temporary email address.
The relief was only temporary.
The government implemented a temporary ban on imports.
She sought temporary refuge in the library.
The project requires a temporary suspension of activities.
The court granted a temporary injunction.
We need a temporary fix for this software bug.
His temporary role turned into a full-time position.
The building serves as a temporary shelter.
The change in policy is strictly temporary.
The artist captured the temporary nature of the sunset.
He experienced a temporary lapse in concentration.
The peace treaty was merely a temporary arrangement.
The sensation of cold was only temporary.
The temporary structure was demolished after the festival.
She felt a temporary surge of confidence.
The temporary alliance between the two parties failed.
The temporary state of affairs caused much confusion.
The ephemeral beauty of the flowers was a temporary delight.
His temporary ascendancy in the polls was short-lived.
The temporary cessation of hostilities allowed for aid.
The temporary nature of life is a recurring theme in his poetry.
They reached a temporary accord regarding the borders.
The temporary displacement of the population was handled well.
The temporary equilibrium of the market was fragile.
The temporary reprieve from his duties was much appreciated.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"For the time being"
For now; temporarily.
I'll stay here for the time being.
neutral"Stopgap measure"
A temporary solution to a problem.
This is just a stopgap measure.
formal"In the interim"
In the meantime.
In the interim, we will wait.
formal"Make-do"
To manage with what is available.
We had to make-do with a tent.
casual"Short-lived"
Lasting only a short time.
His success was short-lived.
neutral"Flash in the pan"
Something that shows promise but fails quickly.
His fame was a flash in the pan.
idiomaticEasily Confused
Similar ending.
Contemporary means modern.
Contemporary art vs. temporary fix.
Same root.
Temporal relates to time or temples.
Temporal lobe vs. temporary stay.
Similar meaning.
Provisional implies a formal arrangement.
Provisional government.
Similar meaning.
Transient is more literary.
Transient feelings.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + is + temporary
The fix is temporary.
A + temporary + noun
A temporary job.
Subject + remains + temporary
The status remains temporary.
It is + only + temporary
It is only temporary.
Consider + noun + as + temporary
Consider this as temporary.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Temporary is an adjective, not a verb.
Contemporary means modern, not short-term.
The root is 'temp'.
They are opposites.
It refers to time, not speed.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a clock that only runs for an hour.
Native Usage
Use it for 'stopgap' situations.
Cultural Insight
Highly used in 'temporary jobs' culture.
Grammar Shortcut
It follows the verb 'to be'.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'temp' start.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use it as a verb.
Did You Know?
Root is 'tempus'.
Study Smart
Pair it with 'solution'.
Better Writing
Use it to add precision.
Speaking Tip
Slow down on the 'rary' part.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
TEMP-o-rary: Think of a TEMPERATURE that changes.
Visual Association
A sticky note on a computer monitor.
Word Web
Challenge
Use the word in 3 sentences today.
Word Origin
Latin
Original meaning: Belonging to time.
Cultural Context
None.
Widely used in business and legal contexts.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- Temporary worker
- Temporary contract
- Temporary leave
At home
- Temporary fix
- Temporary solution
- Temporary housing
Technology
- Temporary file
- Temporary password
- Temporary account
Travel
- Temporary visa
- Temporary address
- Temporary permit
Conversation Starters
"Have you ever had a temporary job?"
"Do you prefer temporary or permanent solutions?"
"Why are temporary measures sometimes necessary?"
"What is a temporary thing you own?"
"How do you handle temporary setbacks?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you had to use a temporary solution.
Describe a temporary job you would like to have.
Why do people value permanent things over temporary ones?
Reflect on a temporary period in your life.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, it is an adjective.
T-E-M-P-O-R-A-R-Y.
No, it refers to duration.
Temporarily.
It is neutral.
No, adjectives don't have plurals.
Yes, e.g., temporary workers.
Brief or short.
Test Yourself
This is a ___ solution.
It fits the context of a solution.
What does temporary mean?
Temporary means limited time.
Temporary is the same as permanent.
They are antonyms.
Word
Meaning
Synonyms.
This is only temporary.
Score: /5
Summary
Temporary means something is just for now, not forever.
- Means limited time
- Antonym of permanent
- Used as an adjective
- Common in business
Memory Palace
Imagine a clock that only runs for an hour.
Native Usage
Use it for 'stopgap' situations.
Cultural Insight
Highly used in 'temporary jobs' culture.
Grammar Shortcut
It follows the verb 'to be'.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More business words
本事
A2Skill; ability; capability.
相应地
B1Correspondingly.
账号
A2account (e.g., bank, online)
会计
A2accounting, accountant
客户经理
A2account manager
账户
B1A record of financial transactions for an individual or business, usually at a bank; or a user profile for a digital service.
收购
B1To purchase; to acquire (a company).
商业活动
A2Business activity.
广告费
A2Advertising expenses.
调整
B1To change something slightly in order to make it more correct, effective, or suitable.
