📖 Meaning
To change one's behavior and turn over a new leaf, becoming a better person. It describes someone who abandons past wrongdoings and strives to live a reformed, virtuous life.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the 'Book of Han' (汉书), in the biography of Liu Yu, the Prince Si of Dongping during the Western Han dynasty. Liu Yu had once lived dissolutely, but later reformed his conduct and devoted himself to studying the classics and befriending virtuous men. Emperor Xuan praised him warmly, expressing great delight at the prince's transformation. The phrase thus came to signify a sincere change of conduct and a fresh start in life.
💡 Example Usage
只要他真心改行自新，大家都会给他重新做人的机会。
As long as he sincerely reforms and turns over a new leaf, everyone will give him a chance to start anew.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 改行自新
- Pinyin: gǎi xíng zìxīn
- Literal Translation: change, conduct, oneself, renew
- Category: Morality
- Characters: 4