“改过自新”常见的英文表达是 “mend one's ways” 或 “reform oneself”。
mend one's ways:这是一个比较常用的英语习语,意思是改变行为方式,停止做错事,开始做好事,侧重于行为和习惯上的改正。例如:He promised to mend his ways after being caught stealing.(他承诺在被发现偷窃后会改过自新。 )
reform oneself:直接表达了自我革新、改正错误的意思,更强调自身内在的改变。例如:He decided to reform himself and start a new life.(他决定改过自新,开始新的生活。 )