Just like a band or gang of superheroes needs members who have different talents and powers, a circle of friends should have exactly the same thing. It's important to have diversity and to be able to look for support from a variety of sources. They also help us to keep broader perspective on life.

就像一个乐队或是一群超级英雄需要具有不同天赋和能力的成员，一个朋友圈也应这样。拥有差异性并且能够从各种来源中寻求支持很重要，他们也可以帮助我们拥有更广阔的视野。

You need different types of friends in the same way that you need food from different food groups. Different types of friends serve different purposes and nourish and enrich our lives in different ways.

你需要不同类型的朋友，就像你需要不同种类的食物一样。不同类型的朋友有不同的作用，他们以不同的方式来丰富我们的生活。

While many of us are lucky to count our real friends on one hand, there are certain types of people it’s good to have around. So, how many do you know?

虽然很多人都很幸运的拥有真正的朋友，但有几种类型的朋友确实值得拥有。那么你知道几种呢？

1. The friend who is cooler than you

比你更酷的朋友

The world changes quickly and some people are just that little bit better at keeping up with what's hip than we are. Like those friends who know that NO ONE EVER says "hip" any more, for instance. We like to be around these people, because they're a beacon of cool. Cool things just flock to them.

这个世界瞬息万变，总有一些人比我们更了解什么是流行，就像有些朋友们知道现在没有人再说“hip”这个词。我们喜欢围绕着这些人，因为他们是流行的指向标。潮流朝着他们蜂拥而至。

These are the people who help you to open your eyes, have a flow-on effect for introducing you to other cool people and help to unstick yourself from the rut that's all too easy to get bogged in. These people enrich your life by exposing you to things that may have otherwise have passed you by.

这些人开阔了你的视野，让你认识到更多的潮人，使我们打破常规，突破自我。他们向你展示一些你可能已经错过的东西，从而丰富我们的生活。

2. The friend who is up for anything

时刻待命的朋友

People are busy, we get it. But there's nothing more frustrating than having to reschedule your re-re-re-scheduled catch-up. Everyone needs a friend who you can call at the drop of a hat. A friend who says "hell yeah, I'm up for that". That's why it's good to have a mate who you don't need to issue a 28-day notice to just to meet for a frappuccino. It's refreshing (the friend, that is, not necessarily the frappuccino.)

我们知道现在每个人都很忙，但最令人沮丧的事就是：你不得不一次次重新安排你的行程。每个人都需要一个随叫随到的朋友，他会对你说：“嗨，我就来。” 我们不需要为了一杯咖啡提前28天预约，这就是拥有这类朋友的好处，这令人感到愉快。（这种朋友不仅可以和你一起喝咖啡的，也可以和你一起经历人生。）

This friend is the flexible, no frills friend who makes your life a breeze. Nothing is ever too hard and they're open to doing new things and changing plans at short notice. Their enthusiasm is contagious and you always have more fun when they are around.

这种朋友是灵活的，不会摆架子来搅乱你的生活。对他们而言，没有什么事情是不可克服的，他们乐于去尝试做一些新鲜而又刺激的事情。他们的热情会感染你，当你待在他们身边时你总能收获更多的欢乐。

3. The friend who you aspire to be

令你渴望成为他那种人的朋友

Oprah Winfrey once said: "Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher". And we all need to live life a little bit closer to Oprah. These people challenge you to be the best version of yourself. The only downside is that sometimes they can be infuriating and inspiring in equal measure. This friend is only an important role model if they behave in ways that are authentic and genuine. They will see the best in you and give you important feedback on both your strengths and weaknesses."

奥普拉·温弗瑞曾说：“和那些可以让你提升自己的人在一起。” 我们都需要像奥普拉那样生活。这些人可以激励你变得更优秀，唯一的不足就是，有时在他们激励你的时候又会使你恼羞成怒。如果他们的行为是真诚的，那么他们就是你很重要的行为榜样。他们会看见你最好的一面，也会指出你的优劣。

4. The friend who doesn't know any of your other friends

与你其他朋友不相干的朋友

We like integration. We like killing two birds with one stone by catching up with several groups of friends at once. But there are times when you need to make an S.O.S call to a friend who is completely uninvolved and removed from a situation who can offer objective advice so it a bonus that your friendship exists without orbiting around your other ones.

我们喜欢结伴而行，我们喜欢同时交好多朋友以达到一箭多雕的目的。但是有时我们需要一个可以发出“急救信号”的朋友，他与这件事毫不相干但是可以提供客观的建议。你们的友谊在这个朋友圈之外也可以存在，这是一件令人高兴的事。

There is a level of privacy to this friendship that doesn't exist in friendship circles. It will be easier to share some of your hopes and dreams, fears and concerns knowing that they are not going to be discussed when you're not around.

这种朋友圈之外的友谊拥有一定程度的隐私。你可以很轻松的倾诉你的希望、梦想、恐惧和担忧，而不用担心你不在场时被别人议论。

5. The friend who is painfully honest

犀利却诚实的朋友

An honest friend will not always tell you what you want to hear, but they'll certainly tell you what you need to know like if he/she is really that into you. When you've got a crisis on your hands or need to make a quick decision they are your go-to. They're also there to keep you away from mixing paisleys and stripes.

一个诚实的朋友不会总讲那些你想听的话，但如果他/她是真的关心你，他们会不时的讲一些你想知道的事。在紧要关头或面临进退两难的境地时，他们就是你的首选。他们会让你远离那些麻烦事。

This type of friend has the strength of feedback and is a pearl who will tell it to you straight when others won't or will sugarcoat things at the very least. This friend is someone who does it with good intentions and for your own benefit.

这种朋友有很强的反馈力，他会直言不讳的告诉你别人不愿说或掩饰的事实。这种朋友这样做是出于好意，是真心为你着想的。

6. The friend you've known than you've known yourself

了解你更胜于你了解自己的朋友

History. Sometimes it works to your advantage, other times it doesn't. This is that friend who sees you out of the context of your job, your relationship, your other friends and your life as it is now. This is the friend who knew you when you had pimples and a bowl cut.

历史有时候会对我们产生有利的影响，有时候则相反。这些是能看到你的工作背景、人际关系、恋爱关系和现有生活之外的朋友。他们知道你什么时候有过粉刺，什么时候剪过西瓜头发型，他们非常了解你。

There is something special about this person because they feel like home. It's nice and comforting to be around someone who has known you forever. This is a friend you never have to put on a brave face for. They know you better than you know yourself and accept you unconditionally.

在他们身上有一些特别的东西，让你感觉像家人一样亲切。和了解你的人待在一起，会让你感觉很舒服。你不必在他们面前故作坚强，他们比你更了解你自己，而且毫无条件的接受你。