goi2 ce4 gwai1 zing3改邪歸正改邪归正

Jyutpinggoi2 ce4 gwai1 zing3

Yalegói chèh gwāi jing

語句

Definition

To abandon evil ways and return to the correct path.

neutralpeopledaily actions

How it's used

This idiom carries a strong moral weight and is typically used to describe someone who has been involved in criminal activity, gang life, or serious misconduct. It implies a significant, permanent life change rather than just a minor correction of behavior. Because of its weight, it can sound slightly dramatic or preachy if used for trivial mistakes like being late or forgetting a task.

Examples

keoi5佢zung1終jyu1於goi2改ce4邪gwai1歸zing3正，wan2搵faan1返fan2份zing3正ging1經gung1工zou6做。

He finally turned over a new leaf and found a proper job.

nei5你gei2幾si4時sin1先hang2肯goi2改ce4邪gwai1歸zing3正，m4唔hou2好zoi3再gaau2搞si6事aa4呀？

When will you finally mend your ways and stop causing trouble?

Common phrases

kyut3決sam1心goi2改ce4邪gwai1歸zing3正

determined to turn over a new leaf

Common mistake

Learners often mistakenly use this for minor habits like oversleeping or being messy, but it is too heavy for those contexts. Reserve it for situations involving a genuine moral or behavioral turnaround.