暂时

zàn shí

HSK 2.0 Level 4 HSK 3.0 Level 4 Adjective Common

Definitions

1. temporary
2. provisional
3. for the time being

Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item

永久

yǒng jiǔ

everlasting

permanent vs temporary

Register variants

1 item

暂且

zàn qiě

for now

暂且 is more formal and often used in written Chinese

Related words

1 item

短暂

duǎn zàn

of short duration; brief; momentary

both indicate limited duration, but 短暂 is 'brief' while 暂时 is 'temporary'

Synonyms

1 item

临时

lín shí

as the time draws near

for a short period or provisional arrangement

Usage notes

Collocations

暂时 is often used with 先 (first) or 不 (not) to indicate a temporary pause or delay, e.g., 暂时不说 (not say for now), 暂时先用 (use for now first).

Common mistakes

暂时 can be used as both an adjective and an adverb. Learners often mistakenly treat it as only an adjective. Example as adverb: 暂时先等一等 (Wait a moment for now).

Example Sentences

1 shown

暂时先不讨论这个问题。

Let's not discuss this issue for now.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 暂时

o'clock

temporary