Meanings of 暂时
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Podcast: 暂时
Podcast: 暂时
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AI study notes for 暂时
暂时 (temporary) vs 临时 (temporary/provisional) — use 暂时 for a broader sense of being temporary, while 临时 often refers to specific, short-term arrangements.
Be careful not to confuse 暂时 with 永久 (yǒngjiǔ), which means 'permanent.' This term is often used in both formal and informal settings, but it's more common in everyday conversation. Remember to use the correct tone; '暂' is pronounced with a falling tone (4th tone), while '时' is pronounced with a rising tone (2nd tone).
As an HSK Level 4 word, 暂时 connects well with other words that indicate time and duration, such as 现在 (xiànzài) meaning 'now' and 时间 (shíjiān) meaning 'time.' Focus on practicing sentences that describe temporary situations to reinforce understanding.
Learners often mistakenly use 暂时 to mean 'stable' or 'permanent,' confusing it with words like 稳定 (wěndìng). For example, saying '这个工作是暂时的' (This job is stable) is incorrect; it should be '这个工作是临时的' (This job is temporary).
Pronunciation of 暂时
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Component characters
How to say temporary in Chinese
“temporary” in Chinese is暂时
暂时 (zànshí) refers to something that is temporary or provisional, implying it is not meant to last for a long time. It is commonly used in contexts such as work assignments, living situations, or arrangements that are subject to change.
When to use 暂时
Be careful not to confuse 暂时 with 永久 (yǒngjiǔ), which means 'permanent.' This term is often used in both formal and informal settings, but it's more common in everyday conversation. Remember to use the correct tone; '暂' is pronounced with a falling tone (4th tone), while '时' is pronounced with a rising tone (2nd tone).
暂时 or something close to it
暂时 (temporary) vs 临时 (temporary/provisional) — use 暂时 for a broader sense of being temporary, while 临时 often refers to specific, short-term arrangements.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 暂时 to mean 'stable' or 'permanent,' confusing it with words like 稳定 (wěndìng). For example, saying '这个工作是暂时的' (This job is stable) is incorrect; it should be '这个工作是临时的' (This job is temporary).
Write 暂时
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Practice writing 暂时 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar patterns of 暂时
暂时 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
我认为你应该____停止踢足球。
I think you ought to give football a rest for a time.
Example sentences for 暂时 (10)
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Frequently asked questions about 暂时
While both imply something temporary, 临时 often refers to arrangements made for a specific purpose or event, whereas 暂时 is more general and can describe any temporary state.
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