How to Say "temporary" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “temporary” is “temporal” — use this word for situations that are limited in duration, especially for contracts, jobs, or official roles.
temporal
tehm-poh-RAHLtem.poˈɾal
Examples
Su contrato de trabajo es temporal.
His employment contract is temporary.
La vida es corta y nuestras preocupaciones son temporales.
Life is short and our worries are temporary/transient.
El poder temporal del Papa está limitado.
The temporal power of the Pope is limited.
Always the Same
Since 'temporal' ends in '-l', it always stays the same regardless of whether the noun it describes is masculine or feminine (e.g., 'el contrato temporal' and 'la solución temporal').
Temporary vs. Time
Mistake: “Using 'tiempo' instead of 'temporal' to mean 'temporary'.”
Correction: 'Tiempo' means 'time' or 'weather'. Use 'temporal' or 'provisional' to describe something that is not permanent.
provisional
pro-bee-see-oh-NAHLpɾoβisjoˈnal
Examples
Tengo un permiso de conducir provisional.
I have a provisional (temporary) driver's license.
Esta es una solución provisional mientras buscamos algo mejor.
This is a temporary solution while we look for something better.
El comité nombró un director provisional para el resto del año.
The committee appointed an interim director for the rest of the year.
One size fits all
This word doesn't change for boys or girls! Since it ends in 'l', you use 'provisional' for both masculine and feminine things (el permiso provisional / la licencia provisional).
Positioning
Like most adjectives in Spanish, it almost always comes after the thing it is describing to help distinguish it from the 'final' version.
Avoid 'Provisionala'
Mistake: “La solución provisionala.”
Correction: La solución provisional. Words ending in 'l' do not add an 'a' to become feminine.
eventual
eh-ben-too-ahlebenˈtual
Examples
Ella tiene un contrato eventual en la oficina.
She has a temporary contract at the office.
Solo hacemos visitas eventuales a ese pueblo.
We only make occasional visits to that town.
Es un trabajador eventual, no tiene un puesto fijo.
He is a temporary worker; he doesn't have a permanent position.
A 'False Friend' Alert
In English, 'eventual' means 'final' (like the eventual winner). In Spanish, it means 'temporary' or 'occasional.' To say 'final' in Spanish, use 'final' or 'definitivo' instead.
One Form for All
This word stays the same whether you are describing a masculine or feminine thing. You only change it to 'eventuales' if you are talking about more than one thing.
Using it for 'Finally'
Mistake: “El resultado eventual fue un empate.”
Correction: El resultado final fue un empate. (Use 'final' when you mean the end result).
pasajero
pah-sah-HEH-rohpasaˈxeɾo
Examples
No te preocupes, es solo un dolor pasajero.
Don't worry, it's just a fleeting pain.
Fue una moda pasajera de los años noventa.
It was a passing fad from the nineties.
Adjective Agreement
Remember this word must match the noun it describes. If describing a 'moda' (fashion), use 'pasajera'.
transitorio
trahn-see-TOH-ryohtɾansiˈtoɾjo
Examples
Este alivio es solo transitorio; necesitamos una solución real.
This relief is only temporary; we need a real solution.
La felicidad puede ser transitoria si no valoramos el presente.
Happiness can be fleeting if we don't value the present.
Estamos en un periodo transitorio de adaptación tecnológica.
We are in a transitional period of technological adaptation.
Gender and Number Agreement
This word must match the noun it describes. Use 'transitorio' for masculine singular nouns and 'transitoria' for feminine singular nouns.
Adjective Placement
In most cases, place this word after the noun it describes (e.g., 'un éxito transitorio') to focus on the temporary quality of that thing.
Using the wrong gender
Mistake: “La situación es transitorio.”
Correction: La situación es transitoria. Because 'situación' is feminine, the adjective must end in -a.
Temporal vs. Provisional
Related Translations
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