Meaning
姑且 is an adverb meaning to do something temporarily or provisionally, often when the situation is not ideal but you're making do for the moment. It conveys a sense of compromise or accepting something as a temporary solution while waiting for something better or more certain.
Usage
Native speakers use 姑且 in formal or literary contexts to indicate a temporary acceptance of a situation or action. It often appears before verbs to suggest doing something provisionally without full commitment. Common in written Chinese and thoughtful speech, less common in casual daily conversation where 暂时 might be preferred.
Examples
- 01这个解决方案不完美，但我们姑且先用着。' , .This solution isn't perfect, but let's use it for now.
- 02姑且不论他的动机如何，结果是好的。, .Leaving aside his motives for the moment, the result is good.
Characters
Common collocations
- 姑且不论leaving aside for now, not to mention for the moment
- 姑且认为to assume tentatively
- 姑且算是consider it as (for now)
- 姑且相信to believe tentatively
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters have classical origins. 姑 originally meant 'father's sister' but developed a meaning of 'temporarily' in classical Chinese. 且 is an ancient character meaning 'moreover' or 'temporarily.' Together they form a compound reinforcing the provisional nature of an action.