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知錯能改

简知错能改 · 繁知錯能改

Mandarin · pinyin zhī cuò néng gǎi

to recognize one's mistakes and be able to reform oneself (idiom)

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Characters in this entry

知: zhī · know, perceive, comprehend
錯: cuò · error, blunder, mistake, wrong
能: néng · to be able; can, permitted to; ability
改: gǎi · change, alter; improve, remodel
错: cuò · error, blunder, mistake; wrong

Written characters and their own readings; the entry’s pronunciation is shown above.

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Mandarin tones

1–4–2–3 · zhi1 cuo4 neng2 gai3

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Read this spelling in Classical texts

Follow a written form into the eight pinned witnesses: Analects, Mencius, Laozi, Zhuangzi, Xunzi, Han Feizi, Sunzi and the Mao Shijing. A match is a place to investigate; it does not prove that a modern dictionary sense fits the passage.

知錯能改 · find source passages ↗ · 知错能改 · find source passages ↗

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Compare dictionary sources Wiktionary · 1 sense · 1 Cantonese reading

Rime Cantonese 粵拼

zi1 co3 nang4 goi2

Cantonese word readings for 知錯能改. This lexicon supplies readings, not definitions.

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Wiktionary English definitions · Chinese section

Independent source senses for this spelling, with usage labels retained. Not matched to the pronunciation above.

phrase

(idiomatic) to know one has made a mistake and is able to rectify it; to take responsibility for one's behaviour

Source page · dump 2026-09-02 · Contributors & history

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