改过自新 (gǎi guò zì xīn) — to turn over a new leaf; to reform and start anew
Definition
A formal chengyu meaning to correct one's mistakes and start fresh. Used in writing or speeches about moral reform, more literary than the colloquial 重新做人.
idiom
to turn over a new leafto reform and start anew
Examples
- ,改过自新。Tā fàn le cuò wù, jué dìng cóng jīn tiān qǐ gǎi guò zì xīn.He made a mistake and decided to turn over a new leaf starting today.
- 改过自新,。Zhǐ yào nǐ kěn gǎi guò zì xīn, dà jiā hái shì huì yuán liàng nǐ de.As long as you are willing to turn over a new leaf, everyone will still forgive you.
- 改过自新,。Zhè cì jī huì ràng tā gǎi guò zì xīn, chóng xīn kāi shǐ shēng huó.This opportunity allowed him to turn over a new leaf and start his life anew.
Appears in
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