改邪归正
改邪归正 (gǎi xié guī zhèng) literally means “turn from wrong return to right” and expresses “return to righteousness”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: gai xie gui zheng, gai xie gui zheng,改邪归正 meaning, 改邪归正 in english
Return to righteousness
Pronunciation: gǎi xié guī zhèng
Literal meaning: Turn from wrong return to right
Origin & Usage
Emerging from Buddhist texts during the Eastern Han Dynasty, this idiom describes the journey of turning away (改) from wrong (邪) to return (归) to righteousness (正). The metaphor draws from astronomical observations where wandering stars return to their proper paths. It gained prominence during the Tang Dynasty as Buddhism spread throughout China, offering a compassionate view of moral reformation. The concept resonated with Confucian scholars who saw moral cultivation as a continuous process of correction and improvement. Modern usage emphasizes the possibility of redemption and positive change, particularly in rehabilitation contexts. It suggests that ethical transformation requires both active rejection of harmful behaviors and conscious embrace of positive principles.
Examples
English: "After the scandal, the company implemented strict ethical guidelines"
Chinese: 在丑闻之后，公司实施了严格的道德准则
Discover a new Chinese idiom every day with our iOS app.
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
一帆风顺
yī fān fēng shùn
Plain sailing; everything going smoothly
Learn more →
千里迢迢
qiān lǐ tiáo tiáo
Travel a great distance
Learn more →
民富国强
mín fù guó qiáng
Prosperous people and powerful nation
Learn more →
国泰民安
guó tài mín ān
National peace and public security
Learn more →
太平盛世
tài píng shèng shì
Golden age of peace and prosperity
Learn more →
四海升平
sì hǎi shēng píng
Peace everywhere; universal harmony
Learn more →
安土重迁
ān tǔ zhòng qiān
Prefer stability; reluctant to relocate
Learn more →
故土难离
gù tǔ nán lí
Hard to leave one's homeland
Learn more →
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 改邪归正 mean in English?
改邪归正 (gǎi xié guī zhèng) literally translates to “Turn from wrong return to right” and is used to express “Return to righteousness”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 改邪归正 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving return to righteousness.
What is the pinyin for 改邪归正?
The pinyin pronunciation for 改邪归正 is “gǎi xié guī zhèng”.