Xuě qián sòng tàn hǎo; yǔ hòu sòng sǎn chí.

雪前送炭好, 雨後送傘遲。

Lit Sending charcoal before it snows is good, [whereas] sending an umbrella after it rains is too late.

Fig One should help those in their time of need; it's no use giving help after the problem is over.

Note [Note: yǔhòusòngsǎn is used as a colloquial expression meaning “to give belated help”; see also jǐnshàng-tiānhuā above and zhǐyǒu jǐnshàng-tiānhuā below.]

Topics colloquial expression HELPING PROBLEMS TIMELINESS yǔhòusòngsǎn