临时 meaning in English
as the time draws near; at the last moment
Meaning of 临时
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- as the time draws near
- at the last moment
- temporary
- interim
- ad hoc
How to use 临时
As an adjective, 临时 describes something temporary or interim, like 临时工 (línshígōng, temp worker) or 临时决定 (línshí juédìng, a spur-of-the-moment decision). As an adverb, it means at the last minute. Example: 会议临时取消了。(Huìyì línshí qǔxiāo le.) The meeting was canceled at the last minute.
临 (lín) means to come close to or face something, and 时 (shí) means time. When the time is right in front of you, you act at the last moment, and what you set up then is only temporary.
Common mistake: Learners often use 临时 where 暂时 (zànshí) fits better. 暂时 means for the time being, as in 暂时不用 (not needed for now), while 临时 stresses something arranged suddenly or not meant to be permanent. Also keep 临 (lín) on the second tone, not fourth.
临时 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
临 lín · to face · 9 strokes
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- 2
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- 4
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- 9
时 shí · o'clock · 7 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 临时.
| 时候 | shíhou | time; length of time |
| 时间 | shíjiān | (concept of) time; (duration of) time |
| 小时 | xiǎoshí | hour |
| 有时 | yǒushí | sometimes; now and then |
| 有时候 | yǒushíhou | sometimes |
| 当时 | dāngshí | then; at that time |
| 那时 | nà shí | then; at that time |
| 同时 | tóngshí | at the same time; simultaneously |
| 随时 | suíshí | at any time; at all times; at the right time; whenever necessary |
| 小时候 | xiǎoshíhou | in one's childhood |
| 平时 | píngshí | ordinarily; in normal times |
| 这时候 | zhè shíhou |
Questions about 临时
What does 临时 mean?
临时 (línshí) means "as the time draws near; at the last moment" and is used as a adjective and adverb.
How do you write 临时?
临时 is made of 2 characters: 临 (9 strokes), 时 (7 strokes). That is 16 strokes in total.
Is 临时 an HSK word?
Yes. 临时 is on the HSK 4 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 临时 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 临时 is written 臨時.
What is the difference between 临时 and 临时性?
临时 can be an adjective or adverb, while 临时性 (línshíxìng) is a noun or adjective meaning temporary in nature. You would say 临时性的措施 (a temporary measure) in more formal writing, but 临时措施 is also common.
Can 临时 come before a verb directly?
Yes. As an adverb it goes right before the verb, as in 临时改变计划 (línshí gǎibiàn jìhuà, change plans at the last minute). Before a noun it often appears without 的, as in 临时工作 (a temporary job).