# 改过自新

gǎi guò zì xīn

Correct one’s faults and make a fresh start

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Change mistakes and renew oneself

**Traditional Chinese:** 改過自新

**Register:** Standard · expressive

[Change & possibility](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/change)

## When to use it

Use for meaningful reform after acknowledged wrongdoing.

More than apologizing; changed behavior is needed.

## Understanding the expression

Two actions work together in this expression: correcting what went wrong and beginning a different way of living. It is especially suitable when someone admits misconduct and takes practical steps to prevent it from recurring. The fresh start is not a magical erasure of consequences. Trust may need to be rebuilt over time, and promises alone are insufficient. The phrase expresses the possibility of reform while keeping attention on changed behavior.

## Examples

他决定改过自新，不再作弊。

### Traditional Chinese

他決定改過自新，不再作弊。

tā jué dìng gǎi guò zì xīn ， bú zài zuò bì 。

He decided to reform and stop cheating.

老师给了她改过自新的机会。

### Traditional Chinese

老師給了她改過自新的機會。

lǎo shī gěi le tā gǎi guò zì xīn de jī huì 。

The teacher gave her a chance to mend her ways.

改过自新要从承担责任开始。

### Traditional Chinese

改過自新要從承擔責任開始。

gǎi guò zì xīn yào cóng chéng dān zé rèn kāi shǐ 。

A fresh start after wrongdoing begins with accepting responsibility.

他用一年守信的行动证明自己改过自新。

### Traditional Chinese

他用一年守信的行動證明自己改過自新。

tā yòng yì nián shǒu xìn de xíng dòng zhèng míng zì jǐ gǎi guò zì xīn 。

A year of keeping his word showed that he had truly reformed.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E6%94%B9%E9%81%8E%E8%87%AA%E6%96%B0)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=710&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [改弦易辙 gǎi xián yì zhé Change one's method or direction ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/gai-xian-yi-zhe)

- [根深蒂固 gēn shēn dì gù Firmly established and difficult to change ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/gen-shen-di-gu)

- [故步自封 gù bù zì fēng Refuse to move beyond old methods ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/gu-bu-zi-feng)

- [故态复萌 gù tài fù méng Return to an old undesirable habit ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/gu-tai-fu-meng)

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