temporário

Temporário is an adjective in Portuguese describing something that lasts for a limited period or is not permanent. The term derives from tempo, meaning time, and the suffix -ário, which forms adjectives related to a given idea or function. In everyday usage, temporário signals that a state, arrangement, or object is intended to endure only until a final or longer-lasting solution is available.

In labor and employment, temporário denotes a job or contract set for a defined period. This includes temporary or seasonal work, assignments intended to cover absences, or projects with a specific end date. In Portuguese-speaking countries, temporary staffing is often provided through a temporary-work agency, known in many contexts as a empresa de trabalho temporário. Rules typically set maximum durations and conditions for renewals or conversions to permanent positions, varying by national legislation.

Beyond employment, temporário is widely used for arrangements such as housing, services, or equipment that meet an immediate need but are not expected to continue indefinitely. Phrases like solução temporária (temporary solution) or acomodação temporária (temporary housing) are common in administrative, construction, and event contexts.

Differences with related terms include provisório, which emphasizes provisional status pending a decision or later confirmation, and transitório, which highlights a transitional phase between two states. Temporário thus conveys limited duration and intended non-permanence across diverse domains, from work arrangements to infrastructure and policy measures.