Definition
临时 (lín shí) has two distinct meanings: as an adjective it means 'temporary, interim' (like 暂时 zàn shí, but 暂时 is only 'temporary'), and as an adverb it means 'at the last moment, on short notice' — a sense that 暂时 does not share. 临时 is very common in both spoken and written Chinese for things that are not permanent or decisions made just in time.
adjective
temporaryinterim
adverb
at the last momenton short notice
Examples
- 临时。Gōngsī xūyào yìxiē lín shí yuángōng.The company needs some temporary employees.
- 临时。Wǒmen lín shí juédìng bú qù cānjiā jùhuì le.We decided at the last moment not to go to the party.
- 临时，。Tā lín shí yǒu shì, bù néng lái le.He had something come up at the last moment and can't come.
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