Der Plan ist provisorisch.

The plan is temporary.

Breakdown of Der Plan ist provisorisch.

• sein: to be
• der Plan: the plan
• provisorisch: temporary

Questions & Answers about Der Plan ist provisorisch.

Does provisorisch mean “provisional,” “temporary,” or “makeshift”?

All of the above are possible shades, but the nuance depends on context:

• In planning/decisions, provisorisch ≈ “provisional” or “tentative” (not final yet).
• With physical fixes or setups, it can suggest “makeshift” or “improvised” (good enough for now, not ideal).
• Close alternatives:
  • vorläufig: provisional/for the time being (time-bound).
  • vorübergehend/temporär: temporary, purely time-limited.
  • notdürftig/behelfsmäßig: makeshift, cobbled together.

Why is it Der Plan and not Das/Die Plan?

Because Plan is a masculine noun in German. Hence:

• Singular: der Plan, ein Plan
• Plural: die Pläne (with umlaut)
• Pronoun for Plan: er (e.g., Ja, er ist provisorisch.)

Why doesn’t provisorisch take an ending after ist?

After the verb sein (to be), adjectives are used predicatively and do not take endings: Der Plan ist provisorisch.
By contrast, attributive adjectives (before a noun) are declined: ein provisorischer Plan, den provisorischen Plan, etc.

How do I say “a provisional plan” in other cases?