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To abandon one's immoral or criminal past and start behaving properly or virtuously.
经过牢狱之灾，他决定改邪归正，重新做人。
After his prison sentence, he decided to turn over a new leaf and start his life anew.
虽然他年轻时不务正业，但现在已经改邪归正，成为了社区的榜样。
Although he was aimless in his youth, he has now turned over a new leaf and become a role model in the community.
Often used to describe a person who has reformed their behavior after a period of wrongdoing.
This idiom reflects the Chinese cultural emphasis on moral redemption and personal growth. It is often used in stories of redemption, such as in traditional operas or modern dramas.
Use '改邪归正' when describing someone who has genuinely changed their behavior for the better after a period of wrongdoing. It is not suitable for minor or temporary changes in behavior.
The idiom originates from Buddhist and Taoist philosophy, emphasizing moral redemption. The character '邪' (xié) means 'evil' or 'wrongdoing,' while '正' (zhèng) means 'righteous' or 'correct.' The phrase suggests returning from a path of wrongdoing to a path of virtue.
This idiom is commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese to describe personal reform. It carries a positive connotation and is often associated with redemption and moral improvement.