Chinese word

改邪归正

Pronunciation

Pinyingǎi xié guī zhèng

Meaning

  • idiomturn over a new leaf

Example

他终于改邪归正，开始好好工作。tā zhōng yú gǎi xié guī zhèng kāi shǐ háo hǎo gōng zuò

He finally turned over a new leaf and started working hard.

Illustration for 改邪归正 (turn over a new leaf)

More examples

经过反思，他下定决心改邪归正。jīng guò fǎn sī tā xià dìng jué xīn gǎi xié guī zhèng

After reflecting, he made up his mind to turn over a new leaf.

Core concept

A person turns away from a wrong path and returns to an honest, orderly life.

Common phrases

  • 下定决心改邪归正xià dìng jué xīn gǎi xié guī zhèng

    make up one's mind to turn over a new leaf

  • 决定改邪归正jué dìng gǎi xié guī zhèng

    decide to turn over a new leaf

  • 转而改邪归正zhuǎn ér gǎi xié guī zhèng

    turn to the right path

Similar words

改过自新gǎi guò zì xīn: Admitting past mistakes, reforming one's conduct, and starting a new, upright life.
洗心革面xǐ xīn gé miàn: Renewing the heart and attitude completely while giving up bad habits.
痛改前非tòng gǎi qián fēi: Deeply regretting past mistakes and making a strong effort to correct them.
弃恶从善qì è cóng shàn: Rejecting evil conduct and choosing to follow what is good.

Definition in Chinese

指从内心悔改，停止坏习惯或不正当行为，并在行为上恢复正当生活或守规矩。zhǐ cóng nèi xīn huí gǎi tíng zhǐ huài xí guàn huò bú zhèng dāng xíng wéi bìng zài xíng wèi shàng huī fù zhèng dāng shēng huó huò shǒu guī jǔ

Word origin

The idiom combines 改 (gǎi, "change") + 邪 (xié, "wrong or wicked") + 归 (guī, "return") + 正 (zhèng, "right or proper"), picturing a return from a wrong path to a proper one.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, this idiom sounds weighty and usually describes serious moral reform rather than a small change in routine.

Opposites

  • 走上歧途zǒu shàng qí túgo astrayidiom
  • 误入歧途wù rù qí túgo down the wrong pathidiom

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