(huàn nàn jiàn zhēn qíng)
English Translation: “Adversity sees the truth.”
Meaning:
Only through adversity can one see one’s best friend. In other words, “a friend in need is a friend indeed.”
Example:
当他遇到困难时,只有最好的朋友愿意帮助他,患难见真情。
(When he faced difficulties, only his best friends were willing to help him—“adversity sees the truth.”)
Source: Hello Mandarin