temporal

temporal — 形容詞

1. relating to time, especially the order in which events happen or the fact that s

1.形容詞B2
釋義

時間的

關於時間或時間順序

relating to time, especially the order in which events happen or the fact that something is limited to a particular period.

例句

The study examined the temporal relationship between sleep quality and exam scores.

該研究探討了睡眠品質與考試成績之間的時間關聯性。

collocation: temporal relationship

Historians must consider the temporal context in which these old letters were written.

歷史學家必須考量這些古老信件是在怎樣的時代背景下寫成的。

同義詞
  • chronological

    specifically about sequence/order; 'chronological order' vs 'temporal relationship'

  • time-related

    simpler and less formal; good for everyday use

反義詞
  • eternal

    outside of time; without beginning or end

  • spatial

    relating to space rather than time

文法句型

temporal + noun

be temporal

temporal relationship between ... and ...

用法筆記

This is the most common sense in academic and non-specialist writing. 'Temporal' in this meaning does NOT imply 'short-lived' — for that meaning, use 'temporary' instead. A 'temporal relationship' means two things are connected in time, not that the connection is brief.

常見錯誤

❌This is only a temporal solution to the problem.
✅This is only a temporary solution to the problem.
💡'temporary' means lasting a short time; 'temporal' means relating to time.

2. describing things that belong to the physical world we live in — money, governme

2.形容詞C1
釋義

世俗的

關於物質世界而非宗教

describing things that belong to the physical world we live in — money, government, daily affairs — rather than to religion or the soul.

例句

The bishop chose to give up all temporal power and live among the poor.

這位主教選擇放棄一切世俗權力，與窮人一起生活。

collocation: temporal power

Shirin argued that good schools should serve both temporal needs and spiritual growth.

Shirin 主張，良好的教育應同時滿足世俗需求與靈性成長。

contrast pairing: temporal ... spiritual

同義詞
  • secular

    more common and neutral; 'secular education' vs 'temporal concerns'

  • earthly

    warmer, less formal; emphasises the physical world

  • worldly

    can suggest experience or materialism; 'worldly goods'

  • material

    focuses on physical objects rather than abstract earthly life

反義詞
  • spiritual

    opposite domain — of the soul or religion

  • eternal

    opposite in durability — outside of time

  • religious

    opposite in institutional domain — church matters

文法句型

temporal + noun

be temporal

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1 (CONCERNING TIME) and from 'temporary' (lasting a short time). This sense always contrasts with spiritual, religious, or eternal matters — if the context lacks that contrast, you probably mean the TIME sense instead.

常見錯誤

❌The effects of the drug were temporal, lasting only an hour.
✅The effects of the drug were temporary, lasting only an hour.
💡'temporal' in this sense means earthly/secular, not short-lived.

3. connected to the small area on each side of the skull, slightly above and in fro

3.形容詞C1
釋義

顳的

連接太陽穴部位

connected to the small area on each side of the skull, slightly above and in front of the ear, where the temple sits; used for the bones and soft tissues located there.

例句

The CT scan showed a hairline crack in the left temporal bone.

斷層掃描顯示左側顳骨有一道細微裂痕。

collocation: temporal bone

Léa felt an ache near her temple where the temporal muscle meets the jaw.

Léa 感覺到太陽穴附近痠痛，那裡是顳肌與下顎連接的位置。

collocation: temporal muscle

同義詞
  • temple

    everyday word for the same area; not used as an adjective

文法句型

temporal + noun

用法筆記

Used almost exclusively in medical or anatomical writing. The most common compound nouns are 'temporal bone', 'temporal lobe', and 'temporal artery'. When speaking generally, people say 'temple' (e.g., 'pain in the temple') rather than 'temporal region'.

常見錯誤

❌I have a headache in my temporal.
✅I have a headache in my temple.
💡'temporal' as a noun is a technical medical term; in everyday conversation, use 'temple' for the body part.

temporal — 名詞