殊途同归 (shū tú tóng guī) — to reach the same goal by different routes; to achieve the same result through different means

Definition

A formal idiom meaning different paths lead to the same destination. Used to emphasize that diverse methods or approaches can reach an equivalent outcome or conclusion.

idiom
to reach the same goal by different routesto achieve the same result through different means

Examples

  • ，殊途同归，。
    Suī rán xué xí fāng fǎ bù tóng, dàn zuì hòu shū tú tóng guī, tā men dōu kǎo shàng le lǐ xiǎng de dà xué.
    Although their study methods differed, in the end they arrived at the same goal — both got into their ideal university.
  • ，殊途同归。
    Zhè liǎng běn shū de jiǎo dù wán quán xiāng fǎn, dàn jié lùn què shì shū tú tóng guī.
    These two books take completely opposite angles, yet their conclusions converge.
  • ，殊途同归，。
    Chuàng yè zhě hé dǎ gōng zhě xuǎn zé de lù bù tóng, dàn shū tú tóng guī, dōu shì wèi le shí xiàn zì jǐ de jià zhí.
    Entrepreneurs and employees choose different paths, but they lead to the same place — both are pursuing self-fulfillment.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

殊途different paths
殊shūdifferent途túpath
偏正Modifier + head
同归same return
同tóngsame归guīreturn
偏正Modifier + head

殊途 and 同归 balance different routes with one destination, showing different methods can reach the same result.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
歺Written in full as歹dǎi
Sound part声符shēngfú
朱
朱zhū殊shū
Same sound today

The left part of 殊 is 歹, the meaning part; the right part is 朱, the sound part.

Open 殊 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
辶Written in full as辵chuò
Sound part声符shēngfú
余
余yú途
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

途 is made from 辶 (written fully as 辵), a walking part, and 余, which gives the sound.

Open 途 →

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

同 originally drew a pipe. It is the old form of 筒.

Open 同 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 歸; 归 is its simplified writing.

  • 𠂤𠂤𠂤ancient form of {{zh-l|*師|troops}}
  • 帚帚zhǒubroom; sweep

The traditional form 歸 combines 𠂤 (troops) and 帚 (broom; sweep) to show sweeping away an enemy and returning; the simplified 归 is a later abbreviation.

Open 归 →

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