一举两得 (yī jǔ liǎng dé) — Kill Two Birds with One Stone
Accomplishing two things with a single action
Category: Chengyu (Idioms)
The Rule
一举两得 literally means 'one move, two gains'. Use it when a single action achieves two benefits simultaneously. Structure: 4 characters (2+2) — 一举 (one move) + 两得 (two gains).
Why This Matters
This is one of the most accessible chengyu for English speakers because it has a near-perfect equivalent: 'kill two birds with one stone'. The Chinese version is more positive in imagery — it focuses on 'gaining' rather than 'killing'. Chengyu are four-character idioms deeply embedded in Chinese culture, and using them naturally impresses native speakers enormously.
Examples
• 学中文的时候交朋友，一举两得。 — "Making friends while learning Chinese — killing two birds with one stone." [Casual usage at the end of a statement] • 在这里工作可以赚钱又可以学习，真是一举两得。 — "Working here lets me earn money and learn — truly getting two gains from one move." [真是 (truly) intensifies the idiom] • 骑自行车上班，锻炼身体又环保，一举两得。 — "Cycling to work: exercise plus eco-friendly — two birds, one stone." [Listing the two benefits before the chengyu]
Common Mistakes
❌ 我一举两得了三个好处 (three benefits, not two) ✅ 一举两得 is specifically for TWO gains; for multiple benefits, say 一举多得 (yī jǔ duō dé) or rephrase → 两 means 'two'. If there are three or more benefits, 一举多得 (one move, many gains) or 好处很多 is better. ❌ Using it for unrelated outcomes: 我今天吃了饭，一举两得 ✅ The two gains must come from ONE action, not just two things happening → 一举两得 requires a causal link: ONE action → TWO results. Simply doing two things is not 一举两得.
Quick Tip
Use 一举两得 whenever you spot a 'two-for-one' situation. It's casual enough for daily conversation and formal enough for writing.
Use 一举两得 whenever you spot a 'two-for-one' situation. It's casual enough for daily conversation and formal enough for writing.
Examples
Common Mistakes
Incorrect: 我一举两得了三个好处 (three benefits, not two) → Correct: 一举两得 is specifically for TWO gains; for multiple benefits, say 一举多得 (yī jǔ duō dé) or rephrase. 两 means 'two'. If there are three or more benefits, 一举多得 (one move, many gains) or 好处很多 is better.
Incorrect: Using it for unrelated outcomes: 我今天吃了饭，一举两得 → Correct: The two gains must come from ONE action, not just two things happening. 一举两得 requires a causal link: ONE action → TWO results. Simply doing two things is not 一举两得.
Quiz
When is 一举两得 correctly used?