zi1 co3 nang4 goi2知錯能改知错能改
Jyutpingzi1 co3 nang4 goi2
Yalejī cho nàhng gói
Definition
To be able to correct one's mistakes once one realizes them.
neutralpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This idiom carries a strong moral tone and is often used to encourage someone who has just admitted to a fault. It functions as a piece of advice or a reassurance that personal growth is possible after a failure. While it sounds formal, it is frequently used in daily life to de-escalate conflicts or offer forgiveness.
Examples
No one is perfect, it is fine as long as you can admit and fix your mistakes.
Related words
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
