悔过自新 (huǐ guò zì xīn) — to repent and make a fresh start; to turn over a new leaf
Definition
Formal chengyu meaning to sincerely regret one's wrongdoing and begin life anew. Typically used for serious offenders or moral failings, not casual mistakes.
idiom
to repent and make a fresh startto turn over a new leaf
Examples
- ，悔过自新，。Tā fàn le cuò wù, dàn yuàn yì huǐ guò zì xīn, wǒ men yīng gāi gěi tā yí cì jī huì.He made a mistake but is willing to repent and start anew; we should give him a chance.
- 悔过自新，。Fǎ lǜ gǔ lì zuì fàn huǐ guò zì xīn, chóng xīn zuò rén.The law encourages criminals to repent and turn over a new leaf.
- 悔过自新，。huǐ guò zì xīn Bù jǐn xū yào huǐ yì, gèng xū yào shí jì xíng dòng.Repenting and starting anew requires not just remorse but also concrete action.
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