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.

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.