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
In the Yuan play about the chain of stratagems the line is spoken to Wang Yun, by a man pressing him to hand Diaochan over: give her to me and it is complete (全) beauty (美) on both (两) sides. Wang Yun's own plan was the opposite of an accommodation — promise her to both Dong Zhuo and his adopted son Lü Bu, and let the two tear each other apart, which is what happened. The phrase has since been entirely domesticated. It now simply means an arrangement that satisfies everyone, with none of the original irony surviving.
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
美意延年
měi yì yán nián
Cheerfulness brings a long life
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目无全牛
mù wú quán niú
Achieve instinctive mastery
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良辰美景
liáng chén měi jǐng
A fine occasion and lovely scenery
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全力以赴
quán lì yǐ fù
Total commitment
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半斤八两
bàn jīn bā liǎng
Essentially the same despite appearances
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两虎相争
liǎng hǔ xiāng zhēng
Fierce competition between equals
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一举两得
yī jǔ liǎng dé
Kill two birds with one stone
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两肋插刀
liǎng lèi chā dāo
Extreme loyalty
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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”.