# 一举两得

yī jǔ liǎng dé

Achieve two things with one action

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** One move, two gains

**Traditional Chinese:** 一舉兩得

**Register:** Positive · conversational

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

## When to use it

Use for a plan that brings two useful benefits at once.

Name the two benefits when the context is not obvious.

## Behind the words

The expression joins one action with two gains. Historical uses of this image support the practical idea that a single decision can solve two problems.

The expression evaluates an action through the two useful outcomes it produces. The benefits need not be equally important, but both should be real and identifiable. It works naturally after a sentence with 'both ... and ...', or after naming two results. Unlike merely being efficient, it specifically highlights the combination of two gains in a single move.

## Examples

骑车上班既省钱又锻炼身体，真是一举两得。

### Traditional Chinese

騎車上班既省錢又鍛鍊身體，真是一舉兩得。

qí chē shàng bān jì shěng qián yòu duàn liàn shēn tǐ ， zhēn shì yī jǔ liǎng dé 。

Cycling to work saves money and gives me exercise—two benefits at once.

周末去公园捡垃圾，既能散步又能保护环境，一举两得。

### Traditional Chinese

週末去公園撿垃圾，既能散步又能保護環境，一舉兩得。

zhōu mò qù gōng yuán jiǎn lā jī ， jì néng sàn bù yòu néng bǎo hù huán jìng ， yī jǔ liǎng dé 。

Picking up litter in the park gives us a walk and helps the environment—two benefits from one activity.

一起做饭既省钱又能聊天，真是一举两得。

### Traditional Chinese

一起做飯既省錢又能聊天，真是一舉兩得。

yì qǐ zuò fàn jì shěng qián yòu néng liáo tiān ， zhēn shì yī jǔ liǎng dé 。

Cooking together saves money and gives us time to talk, achieving two things at once.

把学习笔记整理成文章，既复习知识又帮助别人，一举两得。

### Traditional Chinese

把學習筆記整理成文章，既複習知識又幫助別人，一舉兩得。

bǎ xué xí bǐ jì zhěng lǐ chéng wén zhāng ， jì fù xí zhī shi yòu bāng zhù bié rén ， yī jǔ liǎng dé 。

Turning study notes into an article reviews the material and helps others at the same time.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 4, 2026.

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=423&q=1&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E4%B8%80%E8%88%89%E5%85%A9%E5%BE%97)

## Keep exploring

- [一劳永逸 yī láo yǒng yì Solve something once and for all ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yi-lao-yong-yi)

- [意气用事 yì qì yòng shì Let immediate emotions drive a decision ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yi-qi-yong-shi)

- [一网打尽 yī wǎng dǎ jìn Capture or collect the entire group at once ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yi-wang-da-jin)

- [以逸待劳 yǐ yì dài láo Conserve energy while waiting for an exhausted opponent ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yi-yi-dai-lao)

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