ci4 dou3 hou2 gwo3 mou5 dou3遲到好過冇到迟到好过冇到

Jyutpingci4 dou3 hou2 gwo3 mou5 dou3

Yalechìh dou hóu gwo móuh dou

語句

Definition

Better late than never; arriving late is better than not showing up at all.

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How it's used

This phrase is a common proverb used to excuse or acknowledge someone who arrives or completes a task behind schedule. It emphasizes that showing up, even if tardy, is significantly better than being a no-show or completely abandoning a commitment. It is often used to soften the blow of a late arrival or to encourage someone to finish something they have been procrastinating on.

Examples

seoi1雖jin4然ci4遲dou3到hou2好gwo3過mou5冇dou3到，daan6但nei5你haa6下ci3次dou1都hai6係zou2早di1啲laa1啦。

Better late than never, but you should really be earlier next time.

nei5你ji4而gaa1家sin1先lai4嚟gaau1交gung1功fo3課？ci4遲dou3到hou2好gwo3過mou5冇dou3到laa1啦。

You're only handing in your homework now? Well, better late than never.

Common phrases

ci4遲dou3到hou2好gwo3過mou5冇dou3到

better late than never

Common mistake

Do not treat this as a literal excuse for habitual lateness. Using it too frequently can sound dismissive or passive-aggressive, as it implies that the person's presence is only barely acceptable.