dans le besoin
The English phrase 'needy' can be translated into French as dans le besoin.
The phrase dans le besoin is used to describe someone requiring constant affirmation.
Meaning: needing constant affirmation (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase dans le besoin is invariable, meaning it does not change to match gender or number.
Did you know?
- In French, the word besoin is almost always used with the verb avoir ('to have') rather than être ('to be').
- If you use dans le besoin to describe a person, you are often implying they are in a state of deprivation or poverty, rather than just being emotionally 'needy'.
- The word besoin originates from a Germanic root meaning 'to look after', suggesting that a 'need' was originally seen as something that requires constant attention or care.
Examples in context
- Je suis dans le besoin.I'm needy.This sentence is useful for saying 'I'm needy' using dans le besoin.Tatoeba #7547396 by Micsmithel, translation #2203101 by CK
- Nous devrions aider les gens dans le besoin.We should help the needy.This sentence shows how to use dans le besoin to refer to 'the needy'.Tatoeba #1537681 by sacredceltic, translation #22681 by CK
- Tom ne semble pas être autant dans le besoin que Marie.Tom doesn't seem to be as needy as Mary seems to be.This sentence provides a comparison of how needy two people seem using dans le besoin.Tatoeba #13348291 by genes1s, translation #6665218 by CK
- Il est en demande d'affectionHe is in need of affection
- Elle est financièrement dépendanteShe is financially dependent
- On est tous amis, si tu es dans le besoin, n'hésite pas à demander de l'aideWe're all friends, if you're in need, don't hesitate to ask for help
- Après avoir perdu son emploi, il est devenu financièrement dépendant de sa familleAfter losing his job, he became financially dependent on his family
Example conversation
Manon is talking to Hugo about her new boyfriend.
- ManonMon nouveau copain est un peu dans le besoin.My new boyfriend is a bit needy.
- HugoQu'est-ce que tu veux dire par là ?What do you mean by that?
- ManonIl est toujours dans le besoin d'attention.He is always in need of attention.
- HugoC'est fatiguant à la longue, Hugo.That gets tiring after a while, Hugo.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries besoin, dans, le, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
