Translation guide
This English phrase means to begin again in a new way, leaving past problems behind. Japanese expresses this through various verbs and set phrases, depending on the nuance: restarting life, changing one's mindset, or literally starting over.
To begin a new phase of life, often after a major change or resolution.
A four-character compound meaning to turn over a new leaf or make a fresh start with a renewed mindset. Often used when changing jobs, moving, or starting a new chapter.
心機一転、新しい仕事を始めた。
I made a fresh start and began a new job.
Literally 'to depart again,' used for restarting one's life, career, or relationship. Neutral and widely applicable.
彼は離婚後、人生を再出発した。
He made a fresh start in life after his divorce.
To start over from scratch, implying a complete reset. Often used when previous efforts failed.
失敗したけど、一から出直すつもりだ。
I failed, but I intend to make a fresh start from scratch.
To change one's heart/mind, implying a moral or behavioral fresh start. Often used when someone decides to reform.
彼は心を入れ替えて、真面目に働き始めた。
He turned over a new leaf and started working seriously.
To begin something again, often after a pause or failure, with a clean slate.
To do over again, to redo. Common for tasks, relationships, or life in general. Implies correcting past mistakes.
最初からやり直しましょう。
Let's make a fresh start from the beginning.
To start over after a setback, often in a formal or organized context like business or sumo. Implies resetting the situation.
交渉が難航したので、仕切り直すことにした。
Negotiations stalled, so we decided to make a fresh start.
Loanword from English 'reset.' Used casually for restarting devices, games, or metaphorically for life situations.
人生をリセットしたい。
I want to make a fresh start in life.
To move somewhere new and begin again, often anonymously.
To start over in a new place. '新天地' means new land or new world, implying a complete change of environment.
彼は新天地でやり直すために海外に移住した。
He moved abroad to make a fresh start in a new place.
Combines the idea of a renewed mindset with changing location. Emphasizes both mental and physical fresh start.
心機一転、場所を変えて新しい生活を始めた。
I made a fresh start by moving to a new place and beginning a new life.
やり直す focuses on redoing a specific action or process, often with a sense of correcting mistakes. 再出発する is broader, referring to restarting a life phase or journey. Use やり直す for tasks, 再出発する for life chapters.
The direct translation '新鮮なスタートをする' is unnatural. Avoid literal renderings; use the phrases above instead.