في 15 ثانية
- Fixing a mistake late is better than never fixing it.
- Focus on preventing future losses after a setback occurs.
- A classic four-character idiom used for encouragement and advice.
المعنى
It means that even if you've already suffered a loss, it is never too late to fix the problem and prevent further damage. It’s the Chinese way of saying 'better late than never' but with a focus on taking action.
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 6Encouraging a friend who failed a test
虽然这次没考好，但现在开始努力，亡羊补牢，还来得及。
Although you didn't do well this time, start working hard now; it's not too late to mend the fold.
A boss addressing a project delay
项目出了问题，我们要赶紧亡羊补牢，减少损失。
The project has issues; we need to mend the fold quickly to reduce losses.
Texting a friend about a forgotten birthday
我忘了你的生日，补送个礼物，算是亡羊补牢吧！
I forgot your birthday; sending a gift now is my way of mending the fold!
خلفية ثقافية
Reflects the importance of 'mending' (补) in Chinese culture, which values maintenance and long-term stability.
Use it in reports
It makes you sound very professional and solution-oriented.
في 15 ثانية
- Fixing a mistake late is better than never fixing it.
- Focus on preventing future losses after a setback occurs.
- A classic four-character idiom used for encouragement and advice.
What It Means
Imagine you own a flock of sheep. One night, a wolf sneaks in and eats one because your fence is broken. You might feel like it's too late. But if you fix the fence now, the rest of your sheep stay safe. That is 亡羊补牢. It is about shifting your focus from the mistake to the solution. It tells you that while the past is gone, the future is still yours to save.
How To Use It
You usually use this phrase as a four-character idiom (chengyu). You can say it as a standalone piece of advice or plug it into a sentence. For example, you can say 'It's not too late to 亡羊补牢.' It works best when someone is feeling guilty about a mistake. It shifts the energy from 'I messed up' to 'I can still fix this.'
When To Use It
Use it when a friend forgets to study and fails a quiz. Use it when a colleague realizes they missed a bug in their code. It’s perfect for business meetings when a project goes off the rails. It’s also great for personal habits, like finally starting a diet after a health scare. It sounds wise, encouraging, and practical.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for tiny, one-off accidents that can't be 'mended.' If you drop an ice cream cone, saying 亡羊补牢 sounds a bit dramatic. Also, avoid using it if someone is grieving a serious personal loss. In those moments, people need comfort, not a lecture on fixing fences. It’s for fixable mistakes, not for tragedies beyond repair.
Cultural Background
This phrase comes from a story in the 'Strategies of the Warring States.' A courtier told a King that losing a sheep wasn't the end of the world. He argued that fixing the pen immediately was the smartest move. This reflects a core Chinese value: pragmatism. Chinese culture places a high value on self-reflection and correcting one's course. It’s about being a 'doer' rather than a 'regretter.'
Common Variations
The full version is 亡羊补牢，为时未晚. This literally means 'Mending the fold after losing sheep is not too late.' Most people just use the first four characters. If you want to sound extra encouraging, add the second half. It adds a poetic touch to your support.
ملاحظات الاستخدام
The phrase is highly versatile. It sits in the 'neutral' register, meaning it's safe for both your boss and your best friend. Just be careful not to sound patronizing when giving advice.
Use it in reports
It makes you sound very professional and solution-oriented.
أمثلة
6虽然这次没考好，但现在开始努力，亡羊补牢，还来得及。
Although you didn't do well this time, start working hard now; it's not too late to mend the fold.
Here it acts as a bridge between a failure and a new plan.
项目出了问题，我们要赶紧亡羊补牢，减少损失。
The project has issues; we need to mend the fold quickly to reduce losses.
Professional and focused on damage control.
我忘了你的生日，补送个礼物，算是亡羊补牢吧！
I forgot your birthday; sending a gift now is my way of mending the fold!
Uses the idiom slightly playfully to apologize for a lapse.
生病了才想起锻炼，虽然是亡羊补牢，但也比不做好。
Only thinking of exercise after getting sick is mending the fold, but it's better than nothing.
Reflective and slightly self-deprecating.
咖啡洒了，我赶紧拿纸擦，这叫亡羊补牢。
Spilled the coffee and grabbed a napkin—call that mending the fold.
Using a grand idiom for a tiny task for comedic effect.
面对环境污染，我们必须亡羊补牢。
Facing environmental pollution, we must mend the fold.
Very formal, calling for societal action.
اختبر نفسك
Fill in the blank with the correct idiom.
这次失误虽然严重，但我们应该______，防止再次发生。
The context is about fixing a mistake.
🎉 النتيجة: /1
وسائل تعلم بصرية
بنك التمارين
1 تمارين这次失误虽然严重，但我们应该______，防止再次发生。
The context is about fixing a mistake.
🎉 النتيجة: /1
الأسئلة الشائعة
1 أسئلةBetter to use it for serious matters.
عبارات ذات صلة
为时未晚
builds onIt is not too late.
