改过自新
改过自新 (gǎi guò zì xīn) literally means “correct mistakes, renew oneself” and expresses “turn over a new leaf after wrongdoing”. 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
Turn over a new leaf after wrongdoing
Pronunciation: gǎi guò zì xīn Literal meaning: Correct mistakes, renew oneself
Origin & Usage
The Records of the Grand Historian tells of Chunyu Yi, sentenced to mutilation, whose youngest daughter Tiying travelled to the capital and petitioned the emperor: a punishment that removes a limb cannot be undone, so a man who later wishes to correct (改) his faults (过) and renew (新) himself (自) has no road back. Emperor Wen abolished the mutilating punishments. The phrase carries that argument inside it — the case for reform rests on the claim that the door must be left open.
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
大喜过望
dà xǐ guò wàng
Unexpected joy
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夜郎自大
yè láng zì dà
Overestimate oneself
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毛遂自荐
máo suì zì jiàn
Volunteer oneself confidently
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改邪归正
gǎi xié guī zhèng
Return to righteousness
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日新月异
rì xīn yuè yì
Changing rapidly; improving daily
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改天换地
gǎi tiān huàn dì
Profound transformation
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四海为家
sì hǎi wéi jiā
At home anywhere
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两虎相争
liǎng hǔ xiāng zhēng
Fierce competition between equals
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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 “Turn over a new leaf after wrongdoing”. 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”.