悔过自新

悔過自新

huǐguòzìxīn

idiom #51,967

Meanings

1 to repent and turn over a new leaf
2 to mend one's ways
3 to reform oneself

Characters

to regret / repent

Examples

法官鼓励被告悔过自新，重新做人。

Fǎguān gǔlì bèigào huǐguò zìxīn, chóngxīn zuòrén.

The judge encouraged the defendant to repent and start over as a new person.

只要肯悔过自新，社会会给他机会。

Zhǐyào kěn huǐguò zìxīn, shèhuì huì gěi tā jīhuì.

As long as he is willing to mend his ways, society will give him a chance.

Tips

history

The phrase appears in 《史记·吴王濞列传》 (Records of the Grand Historian, Biography of Liu Bi, King of Wu): 'I hope you will repent and start anew' (改过自新). 悔过自新 is the standard variant — common in court verdicts, parole rulings, and journalism about reformed offenders.

Stroke Order

悔 huǐ

过 guò

自 zì

新 xīn