zaam6 si4暫時暂时
Jyutpingzaam6 si4
Yalejaahm sìh
Definition
Temporarily; for the time being.
neutraltimedaily actions
How it's used
While standard in written Chinese, this word is frequently used in spoken Cantonese to signal that a current state is subject to change. It often pairs with the particle 住 to emphasize the temporary nature of an action or state. It is a very common way to soften a refusal or a delay by implying that the situation might be different later.
Examples
There are no seats here for the time being.
Don't move out for now, okay?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often use this to mean 'a little while' as a duration, but it functions as an adverb of time rather than a noun phrase. You cannot say 'I will stay for 暫時', as it describes the status of an event rather than the length of time itself.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
