yī jǔ liǎng dé: 一举两得 - To kill two birds with one stone; achieve two things with one action

• Keywords: yi ju liang de, yijuliangde, 一举两得, kill two birds with one stone in Chinese, Chinese idiom for efficiency, win-win situation, Chinese chengyu, achieve two goals at once, dual benefit.
• Summary: Discover the meaning of the Chinese idiom (chengyu) 一举两得 (yī jǔ liǎng dé), the direct equivalent of “to kill two birds with one stone.” This comprehensive guide explores its cultural roots in valuing efficiency, breaks down each character, and provides 10 practical example sentences. Learn how to use this common phrase to describe a smart action that yields two positive results, making your Mandarin sound more fluent and natural.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): yī jǔ liǎng dé
• Part of Speech: Chengyu (成语) - a four-character idiom
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: To accomplish two goals with a single action.
• In a Nutshell: 一举两得 is the quintessential Chinese expression for efficiency and smart planning. It describes any situation where a single effort, decision, or action produces two separate, positive outcomes. It carries a strong positive feeling, often used to praise a clever idea or a “win-win” situation. Think of it as getting a 2-for-1 deal on your efforts.

• 一 (yī): The number one; a single.
• 举 (jǔ): To lift, to raise; in this context, it means an act, an action, or a move.
• 两 (liǎng): The number two.
• 得 (dé): To get, to obtain, to gain, to achieve.

When combined, these characters literally translate to “one action, two gains” or “one move, get two.” This paints a very clear and direct picture of achieving a double benefit from a single input.

The popularity of 一举两得 speaks to the high value placed on pragmatism, resourcefulness, and efficiency in Chinese culture. It's not just about getting more done; it's about being clever and finding the optimal path. To describe someone's plan as `一举两得` is a genuine compliment to their intelligence and foresight. While the English idiom “to kill two birds with one stone” is an almost perfect semantic match, there's a subtle cultural difference in the imagery. The English version has a slightly more aggressive, “conquering” feel (to kill), whereas the Chinese version focuses on the positive outcome (to get/gain, 得). This aligns with a cultural preference for framing things in terms of mutual benefit and positive acquisition rather than forceful action. It highlights a mindset that seeks out elegant, harmonious solutions that maximize gains with minimal effort.

一举两得 is an extremely common idiom used across all levels of society, from casual conversation to formal business proposals.

• In Daily Conversation: Friends might use it to describe a smart life-hack. For example, deciding to walk to work could be `一举两得` because it saves money on transport and provides daily exercise.
• In Business and Academia: A manager might praise a new process that cuts costs while also improving employee morale as a classic `一举两得` strategy. A student's project might be praised if it fulfills the requirements for two different classes.
• Connotation: Its connotation is overwhelmingly positive. It is used to express approval, admiration, and satisfaction with an efficient and beneficial outcome. It is never used for negative results.

• Example 1:
  • 骑自行车上班，既能锻炼身体，又能节省交通费，真是一举两得。
  • Pinyin: Qí zìxíngchē shàngbān, jì néng duànliàn shēntǐ, yòu néng jiéshěng jiāotōng fèi, zhēnshi yī jǔ liǎng dé.
  • English: Riding a bike to work both allows me to exercise and save on transportation fees; it really kills two birds with one stone.
  • Analysis: A classic example of using the idiom to summarize the dual benefits of a simple daily action. The `既…又… (jì…yòu…)` pattern (“both…and…”) is very commonly used with `一举两得`.
• Example 2:
  • 去上海出差，我顺便看望了老朋友，真是一举两得。
  • Pinyin: Qù Shànghǎi chūchāi, wǒ shùnbiàn kànwàngle lǎo péngyǒu, zhēnshi yī jǔ liǎng dé.
  • English: I went to Shanghai for a business trip and visited an old friend along the way, which really killed two birds with one stone.
  • Analysis: This shows how `一举两得` can be used for combining a primary purpose (business trip) with a secondary personal goal (visiting a friend).
• Example 3:
  • 这个广告方案一举两得，不仅提升了品牌知名度，还直接促进了产品销售。
  • Pinyin: Zhège guǎnggào fāng'àn yī jǔ liǎng dé, bùjǐn tíshēngle pǐnpái zhīmíngdù, hái zhíjiē cùjìnle chǎnpǐn xiāoshòu.
  • English: This advertising plan kills two birds with one stone; not only does it increase brand awareness, but it also directly boosts product sales.
  • Analysis: A common business context. The idiom is used here as a predicate to describe the nature of the “advertising plan.”
• Example 4:
  • 我们为什么不把会议安排在风景区呢？这样大家可以开会、度假两不误，岂不是一举两得？
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen wèishéme bù bǎ huìyì ānpái zài fēngjǐngqū ne? Zhèyàng dàjiā kěyǐ kāihuì, dùjià liǎng bù wù, qǐ bùshì yī jǔ liǎng dé?
  • English: Why don't we arrange the meeting at a scenic spot? That way everyone can attend the meeting without missing out on a vacation, isn't that killing two birds with one stone?
  • Analysis: Here, it's used in a rhetorical question (`岂不是…?`) to persuade others of the merits of an idea.
• Example 5:
  • 妈妈让哥哥教弟弟功课，这样哥哥复习了知识，弟弟也得到了辅导，是个一举两得的好办法。
  • Pinyin: Māmā ràng gēgē jiāo dìdì gōngkè, zhèyàng gēgē fùxíle zhīshì, dìdì yě dédàole fǔdǎo, shìgè yī jǔ liǎng dé de hǎo bànfǎ.
  • English: Mom had the older brother teach the younger brother his homework. This way, the older brother reviewed his knowledge and the younger brother got tutoring; it's a good method that kills two birds with one stone.
  • Analysis: This shows the idiom used as an adjective (attributive) to describe a noun, `办法 (bànfǎ)`, meaning “method.”
• Example 6:
  • 我一边听中文播客一边做家务，对我来说这是一举两得。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ yībiān tīng Zhōngwén bōkè yībiān zuò jiāwù, duì wǒ lái shuō zhè shì yī jǔ liǎng dé.
  • English: I listen to Chinese podcasts while doing chores; for me, this is killing two birds with one stone.
  • Analysis: A simple, personal example of multi-tasking effectively.
• Example 7:
  • 这家公司通过技术创新实现了一举两得：降低了生产成本，同时还减少了环境污染。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngsī tōngguò jìshù chuàngxīn shíxiànle yī jǔ liǎng dé: jiàngdīle shēngchǎn chéngběn, tóngshí hái jiǎnshǎole huánjìng wūrǎn.
  • English: Through technological innovation, this company achieved a “kill two birds with one stone” result: it lowered production costs and, at the same time, reduced environmental pollution.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates a more formal, written usage. `实现 (shíxiàn)` means “to realize” or “to achieve,” and it pairs well with `一举两得`.
• Example 8:
  • 参加这次国际交流活动，既可以开阔眼界，又能练习外语，可谓一举两得。
  • Pinyin: Cānjiā zhè cì guójì jiāoliú huódòng, jì kěyǐ kāikuò yǎnjiè, yòu néng liànxí wàiyǔ, kěwèi yī jǔ liǎng dé.
  • English: Participating in this international exchange program can both broaden my horizons and let me practice a foreign language; it can be called killing two birds with one stone.
  • Analysis: `可谓 (kěwèi)` means “it can be said” or “one may well say,” adding a slightly more formal and literary tone.
• Example 9:
  • 很多留学生选择在中国当英语老师，这让他们能赚钱，也能深入了解中国文化，是一举两得的选择。
  • Pinyin: Hěnduō liúxuéshēng xuǎnzé zài Zhōngguó dāng Yīngyǔ lǎoshī, zhè ràng tāmen néng zhuànqián, yě néng shēnrù liǎojiě Zhōngguó wénhuà, shì yī jǔ liǎng dé de xuǎnzé.
  • English: Many international students choose to be English teachers in China. This allows them to earn money and also gain a deep understanding of Chinese culture; it's a choice that kills two birds with one stone.
  • Analysis: Used to describe a strategic life or career choice.
• Example 10:
  • 饭后散步是一举两得的习惯，有助于消化，也能放松心情。
  • Pinyin: Fàn hòu sànbù shì yī jǔ liǎng dé de xíguàn, yǒu zhù yú xiāohuà, yě néng fàngsōng xīnqíng.
  • English: Taking a walk after a meal is a “kill two birds with one stone” habit; it aids digestion and also helps to relax the mind.
  • Analysis: The idiom modifies “habit” (`习惯`), showing how it can be applied to routines and lifestyles.

• Only for Positive Outcomes: A crucial mistake is to use `一举两得` for negative results. It is exclusively for two *good* things. If one action causes two problems, you would use a different idiom like 祸不单行 (huò bù dān xíng - “misfortunes never come singly”).
  • Incorrect: 他迟到了，结果错过了会议，还得罪了老板，真是一举两得。 (He was late, missed the meeting and offended the boss. Truly killed two birds with one stone.) → This is wrong.
• Not for Trivial Things: While used in casual conversation, applying it to extremely minor or insignificant dual actions can sound overly dramatic or sarcastic. For example, “I scratched my nose and blinked at the same time, a real `一举两得`!” would be strange. It's best reserved for situations with at least some meaningful benefit.
• “False Friend” Clarification: The English “kill two birds with one stone” is a very close equivalent, not a false friend. The meaning is virtually identical. The only nuance is the slightly less violent imagery of the Chinese original, which focuses on “gaining” rather than “killing.” For all practical purposes, learners can treat them as direct translations.

• 一箭双雕 (yī jiàn shuāng diāo) - “One arrow, two eagles.” A very close synonym of `一举两得` and is used interchangeably. It comes from a historical story of a skilled archer.
• 事半功倍 (shì bàn gōng bèi) - “Half the work, twice the result.” This focuses on high efficiency (input vs. output), whereas `一举两得` focuses on getting multiple outputs from a single input. They are related but distinct concepts.
• 两全其美 (liǎng quán qí měi) - “To have the best of both worlds; to satisfy both sides.” This is similar but often implies satisfying two different parties or fulfilling two competing requirements, whereas `一举两得` is usually about one person or entity achieving two separate personal goals.
• 一石二鸟 (yī shí èr niǎo) - “One stone, two birds.” This is a modern, literal translation of the English idiom. While understood by most Chinese speakers, the native idioms `一举两得` and `一箭双雕` are far more common and considered more authentic.
• 事倍功半 (shì bèi gōng bàn) - “Twice the work, half the result.” The direct antonym of `事半功倍`, describing a very inefficient action.
• 徒劳无功 (tú láo wú gōng) - “To work in vain; a futile effort.” An antonym that describes an action that yields no positive results at all.