Translation guide
The English idiom "turning over a new leaf" means making a fresh start or reforming one's behavior. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various set phrases, verbs, and idiomatic expressions that convey starting anew, changing one's attitude, or reforming oneself.
Expressing the idea of starting over with a clean slate, often after a period of difficulty or bad behavior.
A four-character compound meaning 'turning over a new leaf' or 'making a fresh start'. Often used when someone changes their environment or mindset.
心機一転、新しい仕事を始めた。
I turned over a new leaf and started a new job.
Literally 'to restart' or 'to make a fresh start'. A straightforward way to say you are beginning again.
彼は過去の失敗を乗り越えて再出発した。
He overcame his past failures and made a fresh start.
Means 'to start over from scratch'. Implies going back to the beginning and rebuilding.
失敗したけど、一から出直すつもりだ。
I failed, but I intend to start over from scratch.
Literally 'to renew one's feelings'. Used when you decide to change your attitude or approach.
新年を迎えて、気持ちを新たにした。
With the new year, I turned over a new leaf.
Focusing on changing bad habits or improving oneself morally.
Means 'to reform oneself' or 'to repent and change one's ways'. Often used for moral or behavioral change.
彼は改心して、真面目に働き始めた。
He turned over a new leaf and started working seriously.
Literally 'to wash one's feet'. An idiom meaning to quit a bad habit or shady business and lead a clean life.
彼はギャンブルから足を洗った。
He turned over a new leaf and quit gambling.
Emphasizing the beginning of a new phase, such as after a move, job change, or relationship change.
Means 'to take a new step forward'. A positive expression for starting something new.
離婚を機に、新たな一歩を踏み出した。
After the divorce, she turned over a new leaf and took a new step forward.
Literally 'to redo one's life'. A strong expression for starting over completely.
彼は田舎に引っ越して人生をやり直すことにした。
He decided to turn over a new leaf by moving to the countryside and starting his life over.
心機一転 emphasizes a change in mindset or environment, while 再出発 simply means restarting. Use 心機一転 when you want to highlight a psychological shift.
心機一転、都会から田舎に引っ越した。
I turned over a new leaf and moved from the city to the countryside.
失敗したが、再出発するチャンスはまだある。
I failed, but there's still a chance to start over.
Do not translate 'turning over a new leaf' literally as 新しい葉をめくる. This makes no sense in Japanese. Use the idiomatic expressions provided.
不祥事の後、その政治家は心機一転すると約束した。
After the scandal, the politician promised to turn over a new leaf.
彼女は気持ちを新たにして、毎日運動を始めた。
She turned over a new leaf and started exercising every day.
Literally 'to be reborn'. Used figuratively to mean a complete transformation of character.
彼は刑務所を出てから生まれ変わったように真面目になった。
After leaving prison, he turned over a new leaf and became serious, as if reborn.