英语短语"in kind"的含义和用法可根据语境分为三类,核心是“以同类事物/方式”,具体如下:
"in kind"字面意为“以种类/类型(相同的方式)”,本质是用“同类事物”或“同样的方式”替代或回应。
最常见于经济、交易场景,指用“具体的物品/服务”代替货币。
搭配动词:pay, reward, compensate 等。
例句:
The local shop allows customers to pay in kind (e.g., eggs, honey) if they can’t afford cash.(这家小店允许顾客用实物(比如鸡蛋、蜂蜜)支付,如果他们没钱的话。)
The farmer compensated the worker in kind with a sack of potatoes instead of wages.(农民用一袋土豆(而非工资)以实物补偿工人。)
指用对方对待自己的相同方式回应,可褒可贬(但更常见于中性或贬义场景,如“以牙还牙”)。
搭配动词:respond, retaliate, repay 等。
例句:
If someone is kind to you, repay them in kind—be kind too.(如果有人对你好,要以同样的方式回报——也要对他们好。)
The team was insulted by their opponents, but they chose not to retaliate in kind.(球队被对手侮辱,但他们选择不以牙还牙。)
指“与之前的事物属于同一类”,强调“性质一致”。
搭配名词:help, support, favor 等。
例句:
When our house burned down, neighbors offered help in kind—they brought food, clothes, and temporary shelter.(我们家失火时,邻居们提供了同类帮助——他们带来了食物、衣服和临时住所。)
The company gave us support in kind (e.g., free office space) instead of money.(公司给了我们同类支持(比如免费办公空间),而非现金。)
payment in kind:实物支付(经济术语);
respond in kind:以同样方式回应;
reward in kind:以实物奖励;
help in kind:同类帮助。
不要与"kind of"混淆:"kind of"是副词短语,意为“有点;稍微”(如:I’m kind of tired. 我有点累。),而"in kind"是介词短语,强调“同类/同样方式”。
总结:"in kind"的核心是“用同类事物或方式替代/回应”,根据语境可翻译为“以实物、以同样方式、同类的”。