後悔(こうかい)先(さき)に立(た)たず

こうかいさきにたたず
expression
regret comes too late; no use crying over spilt milk
proverb
1. regret comes too late; no use crying over spilt milk
A proverb: regret only ever comes after the event, so think carefully before acting. Used as a warning beforehand or as a rueful comment afterward.
後悔(こうかい)先(さき)に立(た)たずだよ。
Regret won't help you afterward, you know.
後悔(こうかい)先(さき)に立(た)たずと言(い)うから、よく考(かんが)えて決(き)めなさい。
They say regret comes too late, so think it over before you decide.
保険(ほけん)に入(はい)っておけばよかったと思(おも)っても、後悔(こうかい)先(さき)に立(た)たずで、もう遅(おそ)い。
I wish I had taken out insurance, but regret comes too late; there's nothing to be done now.

Literally "regret does not stand in front": regret never comes before the event.

Usage

Said before an action to urge caution, or afterward as a rueful "too late now". Often introduced with 〜と言(い)うから or followed by で: 後悔(こうかい)先(さき)に立(た)たずで、もう遅(おそ)い.

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: 覆水盆(ふくすいぼん)に返(かえ)らず (what is done cannot be undone)
Compare: 石橋(いしばし)を叩(たた)いて渡(わた)る (be extremely cautious)
Related: 取(と)り返(かえ)し (recovery)
general
Added 2026.10.6 22:59 · Revised 2026.10.7 3:53
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