How to Say "transient" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “transient” is “pasajeros” — use 'pasajero' when referring to things that are fleeting, quickly passing, or not lasting long, often with a sense of ephemerality..
pasajeros
pah-sah-HEH-rohs/pasaˈxeɾos/
Examples
Las modas son siempre pasajeras.
Fashions are always fleeting (temporary).
No te preocupes, estos dolores son pasajeros.
Don't worry, these pains are transient.
Solo fueron amores pasajeros de juventud.
They were just fleeting youthful romances.
Agreement is Key
As an adjective, 'pasajeros' must match the noun it describes. If you talk about 'la moda' (feminine singular), you must use 'pasajera'.
Using the wrong verb
Mistake: “El dolor es pasajero para mí.”
Correction: El dolor es pasajero. (The pain is transient.) The adjective 'pasajero' is an inherent quality, so use 'ser' (to be) not 'estar' (to be temporarily).
temporal
tehm-poh-RAHL/tem.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.
Pasajero vs. Temporal
Related Translations
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