We’ve all faced situations where a mistake or oversight led to negative consequences. The real test, however, is how we respond: do we give up, or do we take steps to set things right? This is the heart of today’s idiom, 亡羊補牢 (wáng yáng bǔ láo), which means “mend the sheepfold after a sheep is lost.”
While it acknowledges that damage has been done, it emphasizes the importance of acting swiftly to prevent further harm.
In this article, we’ll explore how 亡羊補牢 encourages taking responsibility and making corrections after setbacks. You’ll learn about its historical roots and discover how it’s used in modern contexts to inspire resilience and proactive solutions.
Definition of 亡羊補牢
Traditional Chinese: 亡羊補牢
Simplified Chinese: 亡羊补牢
Pinyin: wáng yáng bǔ láo
English Translation: “Mend the sheepfold after a sheep is lost”
Definition: This idiom means taking action to fix a problem after a loss or mistake has already occurred, in order to prevent further issues. 亡 means “to lose,” 羊 means “sheep,” 補 means “to mend or repair,” and 牢 refers to a “sheepfold” or enclosure. While the damage has already been done, the idiom suggests that it is not too late to take corrective measures to avoid additional losses.
History of 亡羊補牢
The idiom 亡羊補牢 comes from “戰國策” (Zhànguó Cè), specifically the Strategies of Chu, and is associated with an important lesson from the Warring States period.
During this time, the King of Chu was criticized for being complacent and indulgent, spending time enjoying life with his companions instead of addressing state affairs. The statesman Zhuang Xin warned the king that neglecting important matters would lead to trouble.
However, the king disregarded Zhuang Xin’s advice, prompting the statesman to leave and settle in another land as a sign of disapproval.
It wasn’t until the state of Chu suffered significant losses, with parts of its territory taken by rival states, that the king realized his mistake. Desperate to find solutions, he recalled Zhuang Xin and sought his counsel.
Zhuang Xin responded with the well-known line: “It is not too late to call the hounds after spotting a rabbit, nor is it too late to mend the sheepfold after losing sheep.” This meant that while initial negligence had caused harm, taking corrective measures could still prevent further damage.
Modern Usage of 亡羊補牢
In modern Mandarin, 亡羊補牢 is a common idiom used to emphasize the importance of acting promptly to correct a mistake, even after some loss has already occurred.
It conveys the idea that while mistakes or oversights can lead to setbacks, taking measures to prevent further problems is still valuable and effective. The phrase encourages people not to dwell on past errors but to focus on proactive solutions to mitigate damage and avoid repeating the same issues.
This idiom is often heard in business and educational contexts where timely action is critical. For example, a company might use 亡羊補牢 to describe efforts made to address a security breach or product flaw after it’s been detected, highlighting the company’s commitment to improvement and prevention.
In a personal setting, someone might use the idiom to remind a friend that taking action after failing an exam or facing a setback is better than giving up.
3 Example Sentences of 亡羊補牢
- 公司發現產品設計有問題後，立即進行修改，算是亡羊補牢，避免更大損失。
- 雖然他在期中考失利，但現在開始努力讀書，亡羊補牢，還不算晚。
- 政府在發生自然災害後加強基礎設施建設，以亡羊補牢，防止未來類似情況。
- Gōngsī fāxiàn chǎnpǐn shèjì yǒu wèntí hòu, lìjí jìnxíng xiūgǎi, suàn shì wáng yáng bǔ láo, bìmiǎn gèng dà sǔnshī.
- Suīrán tā zài qīzhōng kǎo shīlì, dàn xiànzài kāishǐ nǔlì dúshū, wáng yáng bǔ láo, hái bù suàn wǎn.
- Zhèngfǔ zài fāshēng zìrán zāihài hòu jiāqiáng jīchǔ shèshī jiànshè, yǐ wáng yáng bǔ láo, fángzhǐ wèilái lèisì qíngkuàng.
- 公司发现产品设计有问题后，立即进行修改，算是亡羊补牢，避免更大损失。
- 虽然他在期中考失利，但现在开始努力读书，亡羊补牢，还不算晚。
- 政府在发生自然灾害后加强基础设施建设，以亡羊补牢，防止未来类似情况。
- After discovering a design flaw in their product, the company promptly made corrections, acting to mend the problem and avoid greater losses.
- Although he failed his mid-term exams, he started studying hard now; better late than never.
- The government strengthened infrastructure after the natural disaster to prevent similar situations in the future, a classic case of acting to mend the issue.
Great job exploring the meaning and usage of 亡羊補牢! This idiom is a powerful reminder that taking action, even after an initial mistake, can make all the difference. It’s a lesson in resilience and the value of correcting course to prevent further issues.
If you enjoyed learning about this idiom, why not continue expanding your knowledge? Check out this list of 20 useful idioms to enrich your understanding of Chinese language and culture.
Keep going, and remember—every new idiom you learn brings you one step closer to mastering Mandarin!
