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

他终于迷途知返，重新做人。

Tā zhōngyú mítúzhīfǎn, chóngxīnzuòrén.

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

希望他能迷途知返，停止吸毒。

Xīwàng tā néng mítúzhīfǎn, tíngzhǐ xīdú.

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

迷途知返，为时不晚。

Mítúzhīfǎn, wéi shí bù wǎn.

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

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