暂 (zàn) is a formal, literary adverb meaning 'temporarily, for now', used in written Chinese to indicate a short-term state or pause. It contrasts with 临时 (lín shí), which can mean 'temporary' as an adjective or 'at the last moment' as an adverb, and with 暂且 (zàn qiě), a more colloquial two-character synonym. 暂 is often used in fixed expressions like 暂时 (zàn shí 'temporary').