# 洗心革面

xǐ xīn gé miàn

Reform oneself thoroughly

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Wash the heart and renew the face

**Register:** Standard · expressive

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

## When to use it

Describe sincere change after wrongdoing.

Needs inner and behavioral change, not cosmetic presentation.

## Understanding the expression

Washing the heart suggests correcting intentions, while renewing the face makes the change visible in conduct. Together the images imply thorough reform rather than a superficial apology. The expression suits someone who acknowledges wrongdoing and changes habits over time. A fresh appearance or polished statement alone does not meet that standard. It often expresses hope, but trust usually returns through repeated honest actions rather than one declaration of a new beginning.

## Examples

他决定洗心革面，不再欺骗顾客。

### Traditional Chinese

他決定洗心革面，不再欺騙顧客。

tā jué dìng xǐ xīn gé miàn ， bú zài qī piàn gù kè 。

He decided to reform and stop deceiving customers.

她用行动证明自己洗心革面。

### Traditional Chinese

她用行動證明自己洗心革面。

tā yòng xíng dòng zhèng míng zì jǐ xǐ xīn gé miàn 。

She demonstrated her genuine reform through actions.

改个名字不等于洗心革面。

### Traditional Chinese

改個名字不等於洗心革面。

gǎi gè míng zì bù děng yú xǐ xīn gé miàn 。

Changing a name does not amount to genuine reform.

家人支持他洗心革面，重新生活。

jiā rén zhī chí tā xǐ xīn gé miàn ， chóng xīn shēng huó 。

His family supported his effort to reform and begin again.

## 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%B4%97%E5%BF%83%E9%9D%A9%E9%9D%A2)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=878&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [新陈代谢 xīn chén dài xiè A process of renewal or biological metabolism ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xin-chen-dai-xie)

- [欣欣向荣 xīn xīn xiàng róng Grow and thrive vigorously ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xin-xin-xiang-rong)

- [雪泥鸿爪 xuě ní hóng zhǎo Fleeting traces of past experiences ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xue-ni-hong-zhao)

- [杳如黄鹤 yǎo rú huáng hè Disappear without a trace ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yao-ru-huang-he)

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