暂 (zàn) — temporarily
Definition
Literary, single-character adverb meaning 'temporarily / for now' — usually paired with 时 or 且 (暂且 is the common written form). Compared to 临时, it marks a short pause rather than a last-minute, on-short-notice situation.
adverb
temporarily
Examples
- 。Zhè ge fāng àn zàn shí wú fǎ shí shī.This plan cannot be implemented temporarily.
- 暂。zàn Bù kǎo lǜ chū guó liú xué de shì.Let's not consider studying abroad for now.
- ，。Wèn tí bǐ jiào fù zá, zàn qiě fàng yi fàng.The problem is rather complicated; let's set it aside for now.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.
This origin belongs to the traditional form 暫; 暂 is its simplified writing.
Sound part声符shēngfú
斬
斬zhǎn暫zàn
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.
The traditional form 暫 has 日 (day) for the meaning and 斬 (zhǎn) for the sound; the simplified 暂 is a later shorthand.
Appears in
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