Definition
马后炮 is a set phrase from Chinese chess, literally 'cannon behind the horse', used to criticize someone who gives belated advice or makes useless criticisms after the event. Unlike the neutral 事后 (after the event), 马后炮 carries a strong negative tone — implying the advice is unhelpful and the person should have spoken earlier.
noun
belated advicehindsight criticismaction taken too late
Examples
- ？马后炮。Xiànzài shuō zhèxiē yǒu shénme yòng? Zhēn shì mǎ hòu pào.What's the use of saying this now? That's really an after-the-fact remark.
- 马后炮！？Bié mǎ hòu pào le! Nǐ zǎo zěnme bù shuō?Stop giving hindsight advice! Why didn't you say something earlier?
- 马后炮，。Tā lǎoshì mǎ hòu pào, shì qián què yí jù huà dōu bù shuō.He is always giving belated advice, but doesn't say a word beforehand.
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