改过自新

改過自新

gǎiguò-zìxīn

idiom #10,183

Meanings

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

Characters

to change; to correct

fault; mistake; to pass

Correct one's faults and renew oneself — to turn over a new leaf.

Examples

他决定改过自新，重新做人。

Tā juédìng gǎiguò-zìxīn, chóngxīnzuòrén.

He decided to turn over a new leaf and start fresh.

法官给了他一次改过自新的机会。

Fǎguān gěi le tā yí cì gǎiguò-zìxīn de jīhuì.

The judge gave him a chance to reform.

Tips

usage

Often used after someone has made a mistake or committed a crime. Common collocations: 改过自新的机会 (a chance to reform), 决心改过自新 (determined to turn over a new leaf).

Stroke Order

改 gǎi

过 guò

自 zì

新 xīn