mieux vaut tard que jamais

/mjø vɔ taʁ kə ʒə.mɛ/
proverb★Intermediate◆proverb
◆ What It Really Means
It is better to do something late than not to do it at all; emphasizing that delayed action is preferable to inaction.
Literal Meaning
Better is worth late than never
Literal Breakdown
mieuxbetter+vautis worth+tardlate+quethan+jamaisnever
◇ Mental Image
The proverb evokes the idea of time and the value of action, suggesting that even if something is done late, it is still better than not doing it at all.
◈ When to Use
A student who submits an assignment late might say, 'Mieux vaut tard que jamais,' to reassure their teacher that they still completed the work.
◉ Cultural Note
This proverb is widely recognized in French-speaking cultures and has equivalents in many other languages, reflecting a universal value placed on action over inaction.
general

It is better to do something late than not to do it at all; emphasizing that delayed action is preferable to inaction.

Mieux vaut tard que jamais, j'ai enfin terminé mon projet.

Better late than never, I finally finished my project.

Il a envoyé ses excuses, mieux vaut tard que jamais.

He sent his apologies, better late than never.

💡

This proverb is used to encourage action, even if it is delayed, rather than giving up or not acting at all.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

il n'est jamais trop tardproverb
It is never too late

💡Pro Tip

Usage Tip

Use this proverb when someone is hesitant to act because they feel it is too late. It reassures them that their action, even if delayed, is still meaningful.

📖Word Origin

This proverb originates from French and has been widely adopted in many languages, emphasizing the value of delayed action over inaction.

📝Usage Notes

This expression is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to reassure someone that their late action is still valuable.

Word Breakdown

mieux
better
adverb
+
vaut
is worth
verb
+
tard
late
adverb
+
que
than
conjunction
+
jamais
never
adverb
Dictionnaire Français-Anglais