# 两全其美

liǎng quán qí měi

Satisfy two needs without sacrificing either

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Make both sides complete and good

**Traditional Chinese:** 兩全其美

**Register:** Appreciative · general

[Choices & judgment](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/decisions)

## When to use it

Praise a solution balancing two goals or interests.

Not every compromise fully satisfies both sides.

## Understanding the expression

The expression imagines two aims preserved together instead of one being sacrificed to the other. Modern use praises a practical arrangement that serves different needs, such as convenience and economy or study and work. It can also concern agreement between people. The praise should match the actual result. Sometimes a plan offers only an acceptable compromise, while a genuinely balanced solution removes the conflict enough for both important interests to remain well served.

## Examples

骑车上班既省钱又运动，两全其美。

### Traditional Chinese

騎車上班既省錢又運動，兩全其美。

qí chē shàng bān jì shěng qián yòu yùn dòng ， liǎng quán qí měi 。

Cycling to work saves money and provides exercise.

调整时间可让双方两全其美。

### Traditional Chinese

調整時間可讓雙方兩全其美。

tiáo zhěng shí jiān kě ràng shuāng fāng liǎng quán qí měi 。

Changing the time can satisfy both sides.

远程课程让学习和工作两全其美。

### Traditional Chinese

遠程課程讓學習和工作兩全其美。

yuǎn chéng kè chéng ràng xué xí hé gōng zuò liǎng quán qí měi 。

Remote classes help balance study and work.

她找到两全其美的分工办法。

### Traditional Chinese

她找到兩全其美的分工辦法。

tā zhǎo dào liǎng quán qí měi de fēn gōng bàn fǎ 。

She found a division of work that satisfies both needs.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E5%85%A9%E5%85%A8%E5%85%B6%E7%BE%8E)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=317&webMd=1&la=0)

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