痛改前非
痛改前非 (tòng gǎi qián fēi) literally means “painfully change previous wrongs” and expresses “sincerely repent and reform”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving relationships and character. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: tong gai qian fei, tong gai qian fei,痛改前非 meaning, 痛改前非 in english
Sincerely repent and reform
Pronunciation: tòng gǎi qián fēi
Literal meaning: Painfully change previous wrongs
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes painfully (痛) changing (改) one's previous (前) wrongs (非). The inclusion of 'tong' (痛, pain) suggests genuine remorse rather than superficial reform. The phrase appeared in texts about moral transformation and repentance. It values deep change born from sincere recognition of past errors. Modern usage describes genuine reform following wrongdoing, emphasizing the emotional and moral depth required for true change rather than mere behavioral adjustment.
Examples
English: "After the incident, he resolved to completely change his ways."
Chinese: 事件之后，他决心痛改前非。
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 痛改前非 mean in English?
痛改前非 (tòng gǎi qián fēi) literally translates to “Painfully change previous wrongs” and is used to express “Sincerely repent and reform”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Relationships & Character category.
When is 痛改前非 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving sincerely repent and reform.
What is the pinyin for 痛改前非?
The pinyin pronunciation for 痛改前非 is “tòng gǎi qián fēi”.