更生

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 更生(こうせい) means reforming a misguided way of life or behavior and making a fresh start.
• Basic usage: It is used for reform supported by society or for accepting someone who is trying to change.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• The homophone 更正
  • 更正(こうせい) means correcting something that is wrong in information or particulars.
  • In this entry, 更生 focuses on a change in a person's life or behavior.
• Trying to change
  • 更生しようとする means trying to reform; it does not mean that the reform is already complete.