por enquanto

Portuguese

Alternative forms

por emquanto (pre-reform spelling)

Etymology

Literally, “for while”.

Pronunciation

(Brazil) IPA^(key): (careful pronunciation) /puɾ ẽˈkwɐ̃.tu/, (natural pronunciation) /puɾ ĩˈkwɐ̃.tu/
- (Southern Brazil) IPA^(key): (careful pronunciation) /puɾ ẽˈkwɐ̃.to/, (natural pronunciation) /puɾ ĩˈkwɐ̃.to/

(Portugal) IPA^(key): /puɾ ẽˈkwɐ̃.tu/

Adverb

por enquanto (not comparable)

for now, for the time being (at the moment; until later)
Synonyms: por agora, por ora
- 1938, Graciliano Ramos, “Inverno [Winter]”, in Vidas Seccas [Barren Lives], Rio de Janeiro: Livraria José Olympio Editora, page 96:
  Por emquanto a inundação crescia, matava bichos, occupava grotas e varzeas.
  For the time being, the flood kept rising, killing animals, filling grottos and lowlands.