CHENGYU
两全其美(liǎng quán qí měi)meaning, story and origin
- Register:
- neutral, approving
- Source:
- 元·无名氏《连环计》
MEANING
- Literal
- to make both sides whole and beautiful
- Figurative meaning
- to satisfy both sides; the best of both worlds
ORIGIN STORY
In a Yuan dynasty play, a character pleads: "If you grant me this, both sides will be complete and beautiful." The phrase names the perfect solution where nobody loses.
NATURAL EQUIVALENT
“the best of both worlds”
EXAMPLES
在家办公既能照顾孩子，又能工作，两全其美。Zài jiā bàngōng jì néng zhàogu háizi, yòu néng gōngzuò, liǎng quán qí měi.HSK6
Working from home lets me care for the kids and keep the job — both sides win.
这个方案让两家公司都满意，真是两全其美。Zhège fāngàn ràng liǎng jiā gōngsī dōu mǎnyì, zhēn shì liǎng quán qí měi.HSK6
The plan satisfies both companies — the best of both worlds.
COMMON MISTAKE
Watch out: Both sides must be satisfied — it is not a compromise where everyone loses a little.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
Tap a character to explore it
TRUST & SOURCES
- Reviewed by
- AI-assisted editorial review
- Last reviewed
- 2026-08-15
- CC-CEDICT 2026-01-01