In this verse a Samaritan woman (so also Jerusalem Bible, Goodspeed, Moffatt, New English Bible) is literally “a woman of Samaria,” while in verse 9 the woman is literally “the Samaritan woman.” In English, however, it is more natural to say a Samaritan woman than to say “a woman of Samaria.” And since the woman has already been identified, it is not necessary to identify her again as a Samaritan in verse 9.

Different languages may employ quite distinct means of indicating the relation of a person to his “home region,” for example, “a woman born in Samaria,” or “a woman who calls Samaria her home,” or “a woman from Samaria region.” Sometimes the region from which a person comes is identified as related to the dialect spoken there, for example, “a woman speaking the Samaria speech.”

To draw some water may be rendered “to get water from the well.” In some instances it may be necessary to be specific, for example, “to let her jar down into the well and to pull up water.”

Give me a drink of water is literally “give me to drink,” but the context makes it clear that water is requested, and Good News Translation makes this information explicit. Most translations have “give me a drink.”

At this point a marginal note may be needed to explain “give me a drink of water,” for in some receptor languages this type of request may have misleading implications. For example, in some societies this type of request is a subtle form of requesting sexual relations. It is, of course, impossible to change the nature of Jesus’ request, but a footnote may be introduced to indicate that there are no improper connotations.

In translating give me a drink of water, it is important to avoid suggesting a demand or impolite request. A form equivalent to “Please give me a drink of water” may be desirable.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1980. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .