sai2 sam1 gaak3 min6洗心革面
Jyutpingsai2 sam1 gaak3 min6
Yalesái sām gaak mihn
Definition
To reform oneself thoroughly, turn over a new leaf, and repent sincerely for past mistakes.
neutralpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This idiom carries a formal and serious tone, often used in contexts involving rehabilitation, criminal reform, or major life changes. While it is a standard four-character idiom, it is frequently used in spoken Cantonese to describe someone who has genuinely abandoned their past misdeeds. It implies a deep, internal transformation rather than just a superficial change in behavior.
Examples
He said he wants to turn over a new leaf and stop doing bad things.
Are you really determined to repent and start life anew?
Related words
Common phrases
determined to turn over a new leaf
thoroughly mend one's ways
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
