改邪归正

gǎi xié guī zhèng

HSK 3.0 Level 7 Uncommon

Definitions

1. to mend one's ways (idiom)
2. to turn over a new leaf

Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item

• 执迷不悟 zhí mí bù wù 执迷不悟 zhí mí bù wù to obstinately persist in going about things the wrong way (idiom) 执迷不悟 means to obstinately persist in wrongdoing, the opposite of reforming.: to obstinately persist in going about things the wrong way (idiom)

Related words

2 items

• 改过自新 gǎi guò zì xīn 改过自新 gǎi guò zì xīn to reform and start afresh (idiom); to turn over a new leaf 改过自新 also means to correct one's errors and make a fresh start, closely related in meaning.: to reform and start afresh (idiom); to turn over a new leaf
• 痛改前非 tòng gǎi qián fēi 痛改前非 tòng gǎi qián fēi completely correcting one's former misdeeds (idiom); to repent past mistakes and turn over a new leaf 痛改前非 means to thoroughly rectify past errors, emphasizing sincere reformation.: completely correcting one's former misdeeds (idiom); to repent past mistakes and turn over a new leaf

Synonyms

1 item

• 重新做人 chóng xīn zuò rén 重新做人 chóng xīn zuò rén to start a new life; to make a fresh start Both mean to reform oneself and start anew, but 改邪归正 emphasizes abandoning evil, while 重新做人 can be used more broadly for starting fresh.: to start a new life; to make a fresh start

Usage notes

Common mistakes

Do not use 改邪归正 for minor mistakes or ordinary corrections; it specifically refers to abandoning a life of vice or crime and returning to the right path.

Formality

This idiom is formal and often used in moral or judicial contexts, not for casual conversation about minor improvements.

Example Sentences

1 shown

他在狱中决定 改邪归正 ，重新开始。

He decided to turn over a new leaf in prison and start anew.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 改邪归正

• 改 改 gǎi: to change
• 正 正 zhēng: first month of the lunar year
• 正 正 zhèng: straight
• 归 归 guī: to return
• 邪 邪 xié: demonic
• 归正 归正 guī zhèng: to return to the right path