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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'temporarily' with 暂时 (zànshí)

    Aspect & Tense
    Time Expressions

    Structure

    Subject + 暂时 + Verb Phrase

    Explanation

    暂时 (zànshí) means "temporarily" or "for the time being" and is used as an adverb to indicate that a situation is not permanent. It combines 暂 (brief) and 时 (time). For example, 交通暂时中断 means "traffic is temporarily interrupted."

    Examples

    • 这条路暂时不能通行，正在修路。

      Zhè tiáo lù zànshí bù néng tōngxíng, zhèngzài xiū lù.

      This road is temporarily closed; it's under construction.

    • 他暂时住在朋友家，下个月搬新房。

      Tā zànshí zhù zài péngyou jiā, xià ge yuè bān xīn fáng.

      He is temporarily staying at a friend's house and will move into a new place next month.

    • 我暂时还没想好去哪里旅游。

      Wǒ zànshí hái méi xiǎng hǎo qù nǎlǐ lǚyóu.

      I haven't decided where to travel yet for the time being.

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    Expressing 'temporarily' with 暂时 (zànshí) | Chinese Grammar