make up for a mistake; atone for a fault
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
to make up for one's mistake; to atone for a fault
formalOften used in the context of trying to correct a wrong or compensate for a previous error through good actions. The phrase "将功补过" is a common idiom.
Tā他
nǔ努
lì力
gōng工
zuò作
，
xī希
wàng望
néng能
bǔ补
guò过
。
He works hard, hoping to make up for his mistake.
Jīng经
lǐ理
gěi给
le了
tā他
jiāng将
gōng功
bǔ补
guò过
de的
jī机
huì会
。
The manager gave him a chance to atone for his fault through meritorious service.
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Fàn犯
cuò错
bìng并
bù不
kě可
pà怕
，
zhòng重
yào要
de的
shì是
dǒng懂
dé得
bǔ补
guò过
。
Making a mistake isn't terrible; what's important is knowing how to make amends.
Tā他
xiǎng想
tōng通
guò过
juān捐
kuǎn款
lái来
bǔ补
guò过
。
He wants to make up for his mistake by donating money.