痛改前非

tònggǎiqiánfēi
idiom #41,201

Meanings

  1. 1 to thoroughly mend one's ways; to repent past mistakes and turn over a new leaf

Examples

Chūyù zhīhòu, tā juéxīn tònggǎiqiánfēi, chóngxīn zuòrén.
After his release, he resolved to mend his ways completely and start a new life.
Zhǐyào tā tònggǎiqiánfēi, wǒmen háishì yuànyì jiēnà tā.
As long as he truly reforms, we're still willing to take him back.

Tips

usage
Implies serious wrongdoing, not minor slip-ups. Commonly used after legal punishment, moral failure, or a long pattern of bad behavior — pairs naturally with 重新做人 (start life afresh).

Stroke Order

tòng
gǎi
qián
fēi