迷途知返

mítú-zhīfǎn

idiom #39,418

Meanings

1 to realize one's errors and turn back
2 to return to the right path
3 to see the error of one's ways

Characters

Examples

HSK 3

迷途知返，为时不晚。

Mítú-zhīfǎn, wéi shí bù wǎn.

It's never too late to turn back from the wrong path.

HSK 4

他终于迷途知返，重新做人。

Tā zhōngyú mítú-zhīfǎn, chóngxīnzuòrén.

He finally saw the error of his ways and started over.

HSK 7-9

希望他能迷途知返，停止吸毒。

Xīwàng tā néng mítú-zhīfǎn, tíngzhǐ xīdú.

I hope he'll come to his senses and stop using drugs.

Tips

history

From 《三国志·魏志·袁术传》: 若迷而知反，尚可以免 - 'If, having lost your way, you know to return, you may still be spared.' Originally addressed to someone urged to abandon a failed cause.

Stroke Order

迷 mí

途 tú

知 zhī

返 fǎn