Definition

1. Verb:
   • To turn over a new leaf; to reform; to go straight: This term specifically refers to a prostitute leaving her former life behind and reforming to live a virtuous, honest, or socially accepted life. It implies a complete moral and social rehabilitation.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Cô ấy quyết tâm hoàn lương và tìm một công việc chân chính. (She was determined to turn over a new leaf and find a decent job.)
  • Câu chuyện về người phụ nữ hoàn lương đã truyền cảm hứng cho nhiều người. (The story of the woman who reformed inspired many people.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is almost exclusively used in the context of social and moral redemption, particularly from prostitution or other stigmatized professions. It carries a formal and somewhat literary tone.

Variants and Related Words

• Sửa mình (v): to correct oneself, to mend one's ways. (A more general term for personal reform.)
• Cải tà quy chính (idiomatic phrase): to forsake evil and return to the right path. (A formal, proverbial phrase with a similar meaning.)

Synonyms

• Reform: to change for the better.
• Go straight: to stop engaging in crime or immoral activity.
• Mend one's ways: to improve one's behavior.

Related Idioms

• While "hoàn lương" itself is a specific term, it is conceptually related to the idea of "làm lại cuộc đời": to remake one's life.
  • Sau cú sốc, anh ta quyết định làm lại cuộc đời. (After the shock, he decided to remake his life.)

1. Turn over a new leaf, reform (nói về gái điếm)