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两全其美 (liǎng quán qí měi) — to satisfy both sides; to be mutually beneficial; a win-win solution

Definition

A chengyu for a 'win-win' outcome that satisfies everyone involved. Often used to praise a plan or compromise that protects the interests of both sides.

idiom
to satisfy both sidesto be mutually beneficiala win-win solution

Examples

  • ，两全其美。
    Zhè ge fāng àn jì néng shěng qián yòu néng shěng shí jiān, zhēn shì liǎng quán qí měi.
    This plan saves both money and time — it's truly a win-win.
  • 两全其美。
    Wǒ men xū yào xiǎng chū yí gè liǎng quán qí měi de bàn fǎ lái jiě jué wèn tí.
    We need to come up with a mutually beneficial way to solve the problem.
  • 两全其美。
    Tán pàn shuāng fāng dōu xī wàng dá chéng yí gè liǎng quán qí měi de xié yì.
    Both sides in the negotiation hope to reach a win-win agreement.

Origin

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 兩; 两 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 兩 is described as combining 一 and 㒳. The simplified 两 is a later abbreviation.

Open 两 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The shape puts 入 together with 玉 to show a whole piece of jade, so it means complete or whole.

Open 全 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The modern form 其 comes from an early drawing of a basket, with a stand added underneath.

Open 其 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

美 shows 大, a person, wearing 羊, a headdress of feathers or ram's horn.

Open 美 →
Appears in
Conflict & AgreementIdioms & Set Phrases

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