Daily English

A friend in need is a friend indeed.

中文译作: 患难见真交(当别人有困难的时候,你仍把他(她)当作朋友,这才是真正的朋友。)

A friend in need ( is a friend indeed) (saying) a friend who helps one when one needs help ( is a true friend )

例句:No,we don’t see a lot of each other, but I know she would always be a friend in need. 对,我们并不常见面,但我知道在我需要之时她一定会是“及时雨”。

短语in need表示“贫困的”“有困难的”“在困难中的”。
如:
It’s up to us to help people in need. 
*我们有义务帮助有困难的人。*

Alms were distributed to those in need. 
*救济品被分发给困难人群。*

The charity aims to provide assistance to people in need. 
*这个慈善机构的宗旨是向贫困者提供帮助。*

The education authorities have to provide for children in need. 
*教育主管部门得救助贫困儿童。*

You just hope that the money goes to those who are most in need. 
*你只是希望那些钱会交到最有需要的人手里。*

Remember that when both of you were in need, I was the one who loaned you money. 
*记住,在你们两个都有困难的时候,是我借钱给你们的。*

A friend in need = a friend when others are in need
所以原文另一种更容易理解的说法是
A friend when others are in need is a friend indeed.

关于Friend意思的进一步解释

a person in need 只有一个意思:“一个在困境中的人”。

a friend in need 在不同的语境中会有两种不同的意思:

  1. 一个在困境中的朋友。
  2. 在困境中交的朋友。

表面看,a person 和 a friend 都是普通名词,但是,这两个词是有差别的。前者就是“一个人”,后者除了表示“一个人”外,还表示一种“人际关系”。即:A是B的朋友,B也是A的朋友。

既然friend 这个词可以表达一种relationship,一种“朋友关系;友情;友谊”,那么, a friend in need 比a person in need 有着更多的内涵和外延。因此:

A friend in need is a friend indeed. 完全可以如下翻译:

  1. “患难中的朋友才是真正的朋友”。
  2. “患难中的友情才是真正的友情”。
  3. “患难中建立的友谊才是真正的友谊”。

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