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改邪归正

gǎi xié guī zhèng
HSK 3.0 Level 7 Uncommon

Definitions

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

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Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item
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.

Related words

2 items
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.
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.

Synonyms

1 item
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.

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
gǎi

to change

正
zhēng

first month of the lunar year

正
zhèng

straight

归
guī

to return

邪
xié

demonic

归正
guī zhèng

to return to the right path