provisional
Loading your saved state.
provisional
Intended for a transitional period and not final; temporary or makeshift. A provisional solution serves to handle a situation temporarily until a permanent solution has been found.
Nach dem Wasserrohrbruch wurde die Leitung vom Handwerker nur provisorisch geflickt.
After the burst water pipe, the plumber only patched the line provisionally.
'Provisorisch' (provisional/provisionally) is very often used as an adverb to describe how an action is carried out. It then stands directly with the verb and means 'in a makeshift way' or 'temporarily'.
Das kaputte Fenster wurde nur provisorisch mit Pappe abgedeckt.
The broken window was only covered provisionally with cardboard.
The word 'provisorisch' (provisional) emphasizes that a solution is not only limited in time, but often also simple, incomplete, or imperfect. It always implies that a final, better solution still has to follow.
Das ist nur ein provisorischer Plan, die Details müssen wir noch ausarbeiten.
This is only a provisional plan; we still have to work out the details.
Common nouns combined with 'provisorisch' (provisional) are 'Lösung' (solution), 'Regierung' (government), 'Unterkunft' (accommodation), or 'Brücke' (bridge). It describes things that were created quickly and for a transitional period.
Nach dem Sturm lebten die Familien in provisorischen Unterkünften.
After the storm, the families lived in provisional accommodations.
temporary
Both words can be used for something that is not intended to remain permanently. Vorübergehend emphasizes only the limited duration. Provisorisch additionally describes a provisional or makeshift solution that replaces a final one. Use vorübergehend for any short duration, and provisorisch when the solution is also not final or improvised.
Bis zur Reparatur steht vor der Tür eine provisorische Absperrung.
There is a provisional barrier in front of the door until the repair is completed.
Wegen des Umbaus arbeitet die Klasse vorübergehend in einem anderen Raum.
Because of the renovations, the class is temporarily working in another room.
