yī shí èr niǎo: 一石二鸟 - Kill two birds with one stone

• Keywords: yī shí èr niǎo, yishierniao, 一石二鸟, kill two birds with one stone, Chinese idiom for efficiency, one stone two birds, Chinese chengyu, how to say efficient in Chinese, Chinese proverbs, 一举两得
• Summary: The Chinese idiom (chengyu) 一石二鸟 (yī shí èr niǎo) literally means “one stone, two birds” and is the direct equivalent of the English phrase “to kill two birds with one stone.” It describes achieving two separate goals with a single action, embodying the values of efficiency, cleverness, and resourcefulness. This page will break down its meaning, cultural origins, and practical usage in modern China, helping you master this incredibly common and useful expression.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): yī shí èr niǎo
• Part of Speech: Chengyu (成语) - A four-character Chinese idiom, often with a classical origin.
• HSK Level: N/A (but extremely common and widely understood by all native speakers).
• Concise Definition: To accomplish two objectives with a single effort.
• In a Nutshell: Imagine having two tasks and finding a single, clever solution that completes both at the same time. That's the essence of 一石二鸟. It's used to praise a smart plan or an efficient action that brings multiple benefits. The feeling is one of satisfaction, cleverness, and high efficiency.

• 一 (yī): The number one; a single.
• 石 (shí): Stone or rock.
• 二 (èr): The number two.
• 鸟 (niǎo): Bird.

These characters combine to create a very literal and visual image: using a single stone to hit two birds. Unlike many other Chengyu, the literal meaning here directly maps to its figurative meaning, making it one of the easiest idioms for learners to remember.

The concept of achieving maximum results with minimum effort is universally valued, but 一石二鸟 taps into a deep cultural appreciation for cleverness (聪明 - cōngmíng) and strategic thinking in China. Its origin is often attributed to a story from the History of the Northern Dynasties (《北史》). In the story, a skilled archer named Changsun Sheng (长孙晟) was challenged to prove his abilities. Seeing two vultures fighting over a piece of meat in the sky, he fired a single arrow, striking and killing both birds at once. This feat not only demonstrated his archery skill but also his strategic mind—waiting for the perfect moment of opportunity. While its English equivalent, “kill two birds with one stone,” is a perfect functional match, the use of Chengyu like 一石二鸟 in Chinese speech and writing often carries a slightly more literary and educated weight. Using it correctly demonstrates a deeper understanding of the language and culture beyond just basic vocabulary. It celebrates the “smart” solution over the “brute force” solution.

一石二鸟 is a versatile idiom used in a wide range of contexts, from everyday conversation to formal business proposals.

• In Daily Life: People use it to describe simple life hacks. For example, deciding to walk to work is a way to get exercise and save on transportation fees—a perfect 一石二鸟 situation.
• In Business and Strategy: This idiom is frequently used in business meetings to describe a strategy that, for example, increases brand awareness while simultaneously boosting sales, or a partnership that gives access to a new market and new technology.
• Connotation and Formality: The connotation is overwhelmingly positive, highlighting efficiency and intelligence. It can be used in both informal chats with friends and formal written reports, making it a highly flexible and useful phrase to know.

• Example 1:
  • 我每天骑车上班，既能锻炼身体又能省钱，真是一石二鸟。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ měitiān qí chē shàngbān, jì néng duànliàn shēntǐ yòu néng shěng qián, zhēnshi yī shí èr niǎo.
  • English: I ride my bike to work every day; it lets me exercise and save money. It's really killing two birds with one stone.
  • Analysis: A classic, everyday example showing two distinct benefits (exercise, saving money) from one action (cycling to work).
• Example 2:
  • 这次去上海出差，我打算顺便看看老朋友，算是一石二鸟吧。
  • Pinyin: Zhècì qù Shànghǎi chūchāi, wǒ dǎsuàn shùnbiàn kàn kàn lǎo péngyǒu, suànshì yī shí èr niǎo ba.
  • English: I'm going to Shanghai on a business trip, and I plan to visit an old friend while I'm there. I guess you could call it killing two birds with one stone.
  • Analysis: Here, the action is the trip, and the two purposes are business and seeing a friend. The phrase 顺便 (shùnbiàn - on the way, conveniently) often appears in sentences with 一石二鸟.
• Example 3:
  • 公司的新广告请了一位当红明星，希望能达到宣传产品和提升品牌形象的一石二鸟之效。
  • Pinyin: Gōngsī de xīn guǎnggào qǐngle yī wèi dānghóng míngxīng, xīwàng néng dádào xuānchuán chǎnpǐn hé tíshēng pǐnpái xíngxiàng de yī shí èr niǎo zhī xiào.
  • English: The company's new ad hired a popular celebrity, hoping to achieve the “one stone, two birds” effect of promoting the product and enhancing the brand image.
  • Analysis: A more formal, business-oriented example. The structure `…的 一石二鸟 之效 (…de yī shí èr niǎo zhī xiào)` means “the effect of killing two birds with one stone.”
• Example 4:
  • 边听中文播客边做家务，是练习听力的一石二鸟的好方法。
  • Pinyin: Biān tīng Zhōngwén bōkè biān zuò jiāwù, shì liànxí tīnglì de yī shí èr niǎo de hǎo fāngfǎ.
  • English: Listening to Chinese podcasts while doing chores is a great “kill two birds with one stone” method for practicing listening skills.
  • Analysis: This sentence is great for language learners. It describes a common study hack.
• Example 5:
  • 这个周末我们去郊区吧，既可以呼吸新鲜空气，又可以远离城市的喧嚣，一石二鸟。
  • Pinyin: Zhège zhōumò wǒmen qù jiāoqū ba, jì kěyǐ hūxī xīnxiān kōngqì, yòu kěyǐ yuǎnlí chéngshì de xuānxiāo, yī shí èr niǎo.
  • English: Let's go to the suburbs this weekend. We can breathe fresh air and get away from the city noise—kill two birds with one stone.
  • Analysis: The structure `既…又… (jì…yòu…)` meaning “both…and…” is a perfect partner for 一石二鸟.
• Example 6:
  • 政府投资建设新公园，不仅美化了环境，还为市民提供了休闲场所，可谓一石二鸟。
  • Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ tóuzī jiànshè xīn gōngyuán, bùjǐn měihuàle huánjìng, hái wèi shìmín tígōngle xiūxián chǎngsuǒ, kěwèi yī shí èr niǎo.
  • English: The government invested in building a new park, which not only beautified the environment but also provided a leisure space for citizens. You could say it killed two birds with one stone.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates a more formal use, discussing public policy. `可谓 (kěwèi)` means “it can be said” or “one could say.”
• Example 7:
  • 你想通过什么方法来达到一石二鸟的目的呢？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ xiǎng tōngguò shénme fāngfǎ lái dádào yī shí èr niǎo de mùdì ne?
  • English: What method are you thinking of using to achieve the goal of killing two birds with one stone?
  • Analysis: Shows how the idiom can be used in a question to ask about an efficient strategy.
• Example 8:
  • 参加这个国际会议，我可以练习英语，也能认识一些行业专家，简直是一石二鸟！
  • Pinyin: Cānjiā zhège guójì huìyì, wǒ kěyǐ liànxí Yīngyǔ, yě néng rènshí yīxiē hángyè zhuānjiā, jiǎnzhí shì yī shí èr niǎo!
  • English: By attending this international conference, I can practice my English and also meet some industry experts. It's simply killing two birds with one stone!
  • Analysis: The phrase `简直是 (jiǎnzhí shì)` adds emphasis, meaning “it's simply…” or “it's practically…”.
• Example 9:
  • 他买下那块地是为了一石二鸟：一是建厂，二是等土地升值。
  • Pinyin: Tā mǎi xià nà kuài dì shì wèile yī shí èr niǎo: yī shì jiàn chǎng, èr shì děng tǔdì shēngzhí.
  • English: He bought that piece of land to kill two birds with one stone: first, to build a factory, and second, to wait for the land value to increase.
  • Analysis: This sentence structure explicitly lists the “two birds” using `一是…二是… (yī shì…èr shì…)`.
• Example 10:
  • 这个方案听起来不错，但我们必须确保它真的能起到一石二鸟的作用，而不是带来双重风险。
  • Pinyin: Zhège fāng'àn tīng qǐlái bùcuò, dàn wǒmen bìxū quèbǎo tā zhēn de néng qǐdào yī shí èr niǎo de zuòyòng, ér bùshì dài lái shuāngchóng fēngxiǎn.
  • English: This plan sounds good, but we must ensure it can truly have the effect of killing two birds with one stone, rather than bringing double the risk.
  • Analysis: This is a sophisticated sentence that uses the idiom in a cautionary context, contrasting the desired positive outcome with a potential negative one.

• Not a “False Friend”: This is a rare case where the Chinese idiom and its English equivalent are almost perfect matches in meaning and usage. The risk of misunderstanding is very low.
• Overuse: The most common mistake for learners is overuse. Like any idiom, dropping 一石二鸟 into every other sentence will sound unnatural and forced. Use it when you genuinely want to emphasize the dual-benefit and cleverness of an action.
• Context is Key: While it's a positive term, ensure the two “birds” you're referring to are clear from the context. Just saying “一石二鸟” without the surrounding explanation can be confusing.
• Cultural Note on “Killing”: While some modern English speakers are moving towards gentler alternatives like “feeding two birds with one scone,” the Chinese 一石二鸟 does not carry a negative or violent connotation. It is perceived through the lens of the historical story, focusing on skill, precision, and strategy rather than animal cruelty.

• 一举两得 (yī jǔ liǎng dé): A direct synonym. Literally “one action, two gains.” It is slightly more formal and literary than 一石二鸟 but is used interchangeably in many contexts.
• 事半功倍 (shì bàn gōng bèi): “Half the work, twice the result.” This focuses on high efficiency and a great return on effort, which is the underlying principle of 一石二鸟.
• 两全其美 (liǎng quán qí měi): “Perfect in both aspects.” This describes a solution that perfectly satisfies two different, often conflicting, needs or parties. It's more about a perfect, win-win outcome than just efficiency.
• 一箭双雕 (yī jiàn shuāng diāo): “One arrow, a pair of eagles.” Another direct synonym for 一石二鸟, stemming from a similar story of masterful archery. It is also very common.
• 效率 (xiàolǜ): The modern, non-idiomatic word for “efficiency.” 一石二鸟 is a way of describing an action that has high 效率.
• 聪明 (cōngmíng): “Smart, clever.” This is the quality attributed to someone who comes up with a 一石二鸟 solution.
• 得不偿失 (dé bù cháng shī): An antonym. “The gain doesn't make up for the loss.” Describes a situation where the effort results in a net negative outcome.
• 因小失大 (yīn xiǎo shī dà): An antonym. “To lose the big prize for a small gain.” This describes a poor strategic choice, the opposite of the cleverness implied by 一石二鸟.