Meaning
临时 describes something that is temporary, makeshift, or done on short notice. It conveys the sense of something not permanent or planned well in advance, but rather arranged or occurring at the moment when needed. The word combines 临 (to face, to approach) with 时 (time), suggesting something that happens right as the time arrives.
Usage
临时 is commonly used as an adjective before nouns (临时工作, 临时决定) or as an adverb meaning 'at the last minute' or 'temporarily.' It often implies a lack of permanence or prior planning. Native speakers use it for everything from temporary jobs to last-minute changes in plans.
Examples
- 01我们临时改变了计划，决定明天去爬山。, .We changed our plans at the last minute and decided to go hiking tomorrow.
- 02这只是一个临时办公室，下个月我们会搬到新大楼。, .This is just a temporary office; we'll move to the new building next month.
Characters
Common collocations
- 临时工temporary worker
- 临时决定last-minute decision
- 临时通知short notice, last-minute notification
- 临时抱佛脚to cram at the last minute (idiom)
Antonyms
Origin
The combination literally means 'facing the time' or 'when the time comes,' suggesting something done or arranged right at the moment it's needed rather than prepared beforehand.