noun
turning over a new leaf; changing one's ways and making a fresh start
A yojijukugo (four-character idiom) used in formal or literary contexts to describe a sincere reformation of one's behavior and a new beginning.
彼は改過自新を誓って、心を入れ替えた。
He vowed to turn over a new leaf and changed his attitude.
改過自新の精神で、もう一度やり直そう。
Let's start over with a spirit of reforming ourselves.
心機一転 focuses on a change of mindset or mood to make a fresh start, while 改過自新 emphasizes correcting past mistakes and reforming one's conduct.
改心 means a change of heart or repentance, often with a moral or religious nuance, whereas 改過自新 is more about reforming one's behavior and starting anew.
A yojijukugo composed of 改 (reform), 過 (mistake), 自 (oneself), and 新 (new). The phrase originates from classical Chinese literature, conveying the idea of correcting one's errors and renewing oneself.