"lean times" in Chinese (Simplified)

• 艰难时期
• 困难时期

Definition

指缺乏金钱、食物或资源、生活比平时更艰难的时期。常用于形容经济困难的时候。

Usage Notes (Chinese (Simplified))

为惯用表达，常用于新闻、商业和日常生活，语气较正式。常搭配 'during lean times'。注意不要和动词 'lean' 混淆。中文类似说法还有“经济困难时期”。

Examples

Many families save money for lean times.

许多家庭为**艰难时期**存钱。

During lean times, people eat simpler food.

在**艰难时期**，人们吃得更简单。

The company cut costs in lean times.

公司在**艰难时期**削减了开支。

We had to make a lot of sacrifices during those lean times.

在那些**艰难时期**，我们不得不做许多牺牲。

Even big cities struggle in lean times when jobs are scarce.

即使大城市在**艰难时期**也会因为就业机会少而陷入困境。

Farmers know how to get by in lean times—they’ve seen plenty.

农民知道如何在**艰难时期**渡过难关——他们经历了很多。