bou2 gau3補救补救
Jyutpingbou2 gau3
Yalebóu gau
Definition
To remedy, salvage, or make up for a mistake or problem.
neutraldaily actionsother
How it's used
Focuses on damage control after a negative event has already occurred. It implies an active effort to mitigate consequences rather than just apologizing. It is frequently used in professional or serious personal contexts where a situation has gone wrong.
Examples
If you made a mistake, fix it, don't keep dragging it out.
Things have turned out like this, what else can even be done to remedy it?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 彌補, which often refers to compensating for a loss or filling a gap. 補救 specifically targets fixing a mistake or a deteriorating situation.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
