gwo3 ji4 nang4 goi2 ，sin6 mok6 daai6 jin4過而能改，善莫大焉过而能改，善莫大焉

Jyutpinggwo3 ji4 nang4 goi2 ，sin6 mok6 daai6 jin4

Yalegwo yìh nàhng gói ，sihn mohk daaih yìhn

Definition

To acknowledge and correct one's mistakes is the greatest virtue.

writtenother

How it's used

This is a classical idiom often used in formal writing or when giving serious advice to someone who has made a mistake. It carries a heavy, moralistic tone that is rarely used in casual banter. While the full phrase is highly literary, it is frequently shortened to 知錯能改 in everyday speech to convey the same sentiment.

Examples

jan4人fei1非sing3聖jin4賢，gwo3過ji4而nang4能goi2改，sin6善mok6莫daai6大jin1焉。

No one is perfect; to acknowledge and rectify one's fault is the greatest virtue.

nei5你zi1知m4唔zi1知gwo3過ji4而nang4能goi2改，sin6善mok6莫daai6大jin1焉ni1呢go3個dou6道lei5理？

Do you understand the principle that to acknowledge and rectify one's fault is the greatest virtue?

Common phrases

zi1知co3錯nang4能goi2改

to know one's mistake and be able to correct it

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a common conversational phrase, but using it in a casual setting can sound overly dramatic or like you are lecturing the other person. Stick to the shorter version 知錯能改 for daily interactions.