改过自新
改过自新 (gǎi guò zì xīn) literally means “correct mistakes, renew oneself” and expresses “self-improvement”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: gai guo zi xin, gai guo zi xin,改过自新 meaning, 改过自新 in english
Self-improvement
Pronunciation: gǎi guò zì xīn Literal meaning: Correct mistakes, renew oneself
Origin & Usage
Commonly used in classical Chinese, the idiom 改过自新 (gǎi guò zì xīn) conveys the idea of self-improvement and personal transformation. The characters 改 (gǎi) mean 'change' or 'correct,' 过 (guò) means 'mistake,' 自 (zì) means 'oneself,' and 新 (xīn) means 'new.' This idiom paints a vivid picture of someone acknowledging their past errors and making a conscious effort to renew themselves. In modern usage, it encourages individuals to reflect on their past actions, learn from their mistakes, and strive for personal growth and renewal.
Examples
English: "After realizing his errors, he decided to change his ways and improve."
Chinese: 意识到错误后，他决定改过自新。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 改过自新 mean in English?
改过自新 (gǎi guò zì xīn) literally translates to “Correct mistakes, renew oneself” and is used to express “Self-improvement”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 改过自新 used?
Situation: After realizing his errors, he decided to change his ways and improve.
What is the pinyin for 改过自新?
The pinyin pronunciation for 改过自新 is “gǎi guò zì xīn”.