改过自新 gǎiguòzìxīn to turn over a new leaf Origin Definitions Defs Strokes Stroke Words Sentences Sents 改过 改過 gǎiguò adjectiveverb to mend one's ways To correct one's own mistakes; to reform one's character or behavior.自新 zìxīn adjectiveverb to reform oneself to turn over a new leaf; to mend one's ways and start life anew