亡羊补牢

wáng yáng bǔ láo

HSK 7–9

Meaning

丢失了羊之后修补羊圈，比喻出了问题以后想办法补救，防止继续受损失。

Mend the pen after losing a sheep; it's never too late to correct a mistake before further damage is done.

通常用作谓语、定语、分句，常与‘未为晚也’连用，强调及时补救的重要性。

Usually used as predicate, attributive, or clause, often together with '未为晚也' (it's never too late), emphasizing the importance of timely remedy.

1 虽然这次考试没考好，但亡羊补牢，为时未晚，抓紧时间复习下次一定能进步。(Although you didn't do well on this exam, it's not too late to mend the pen; if you study hard now, you will surely improve next time.)
2 公司财务出现问题，领导决定亡羊补牢，立即加强内控。(When the company had financial problems, the management decided to mend the pen after the sheep was lost and immediately strengthened internal controls.)
3 你在工作中犯了错误，现在亡羊补牢还来得及，赶紧向客户道歉并修正方案。(You made a mistake at work; it's still not too late to mend the pen. Apologize to the client and correct the plan quickly.)
4 森林火灾后，政府亡羊补牢，出台了更严格的防火法规。(After the forest fire, the government mended the pen by introducing stricter fire prevention regulations.)
5 投资失利后，他亡羊补牢，学会了分散风险。(After the investment loss, he mended the pen by learning to diversify risks.)

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