痛改前非 (tòng gǎi qián fēi) — to sincerely mend one's ways; to thoroughly reform
Definition
A formal chengyu meaning to thoroughly repent and reform past wrongdoings. 痛 conveys the depth of regret; 非 refers specifically to one's former mistakes.
verb
to sincerely mend one's waysto thoroughly reform
Examples
- 痛改前非，。Tā chū yù hòu jué xīn tòng gǎi qián fēi, chóng xīn zuò rén.After getting out of prison, he was determined to sincerely mend his ways and start anew.
- 痛改前非，。Wǒ jué dìng tòng gǎi qián fēi, bú zài làng fèi shí jiān.I decided to thoroughly reform and stop wasting time.
- ，痛改前非，。Jīng guò zhè cì jiào xùn, tā tòng gǎi qián fēi, nǔ lì gōng zuò.After this lesson, he sincerely mended his ways and worked hard.
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