gǎi改changexié邪evilguī归returnzhèng正righteous
To turn over a new leaf; to abandon evil and return to the right path.
Literal meaning
change (改) — evil (邪) — return (归) — righteous (正)
Origin
A classical four-character phrase encouraging repentance and reform.
Examples
tā他jué决xīn心gǎi改xié邪guī归zhèng正，chóng重xīn新zuò做rén人。
He is determined to turn over a new leaf and start a new life.
wǒ我men们yīng应gāi该bāng帮zhù助nà那xiē些mí迷tú途zhī知fǎn返，gǎi改xié邪guī归zhèng正de的rén人。
We should help those who realize their mistakes and return to the right path.
Usage & nuances
Implies a significant change in behavior and moral alignment.
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