亡羊补牢
wáng yáng bǔ láo
to mend the fold after a sheep is lost: better late than never
Character by character
亡wáng
lose
lose
羊yáng
a sheep
a sheep
补bǔ
mend
mend
牢láo
the pen
the pen
Example
虽然已经造成了污染，但亡羊补牢，现在开始治理还不晚。
Pollution has already been caused, but better late than never: it is not too late to start cleaning up.
Tone: neutral.
Usage and origin
The full saying ends 未为迟也 / 为时未晚: it is not too late.
Learn this in Lesson 105 · HSK 7–9: 蓝天与“双碳” (Blue skies and carbon goals)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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