两全其美
两全其美 (liǎng quán qí měi) literally means “both complete and beautiful” and expresses “win-win outcome”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving wisdom and learning.
Also searched as: liang quan qi mei, liang quan qi mei,两全其美 meaning, 两全其美 in english
Win-win outcome
Pronunciation: liǎng quán qí měi Literal meaning: Both complete and beautiful
Origin & Usage
The idiom 两全其美 (liǎng quán qí měi) originates from a story in the Yuan Dynasty, found in the play 《连环计》. It tells of Wang Yun, a court official, who devised a plan to eliminate the tyrant Dong Zhuo. He used his adopted daughter, Diao Chan, to create discord between Dong Zhuo and his formidable foster son, Lü Bu. By promising Diao Chan to both men, Wang Yun ensured that they would turn against each other, ultimately leading to Dong Zhuo's demise. The idiom literally means 'both complete and beautiful' (两, both; 全, complete; 其, its; 美, beautiful), and it describes a situation where a solution benefits all parties involved. In modern usage, it refers to achieving a win-win outcome, where both sides are satisfied.
Examples
English: "The compromise allowed both parties to feel satisfied with the outcome."
Chinese: 这个妥协让双方都能两全其美。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about wisdom & learning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 两全其美 mean in English?
两全其美 (liǎng quán qí měi) literally translates to “Both complete and beautiful” and is used to express “Win-win outcome”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 两全其美 used?
Situation: The compromise allowed both parties to feel satisfied with the outcome.
What is the pinyin for 两全其美?
The pinyin pronunciation for 两全其美 is “liǎng quán qí měi”.