jat1 zin3 soeng1 diu1一箭雙鵰一箭双雕
Jyutpingjat1 zin3 soeng1 diu1
Yaleyāt jin sēung dīu
Definition
To kill two birds with one stone; to achieve two results or benefits with a single action.
colloquialdaily actions
How it's used
This idiom is used to describe a situation where a single action achieves two distinct, usually positive, outcomes. It is frequently employed in casual conversation to praise efficiency or clever planning. While it sounds slightly formal due to its classical origins, it is perfectly natural to use in daily life when discussing time management or multitasking.
Examples
You buying groceries while you are out is really killing two birds with one stone.
dim2點joeng2樣ho2可ji5以zou6做jyun4完fan2份bou3報gou3告jau6又seon6順bin2便wan1溫maai4埋syu1書，jat1一zin3箭soeng1雙diu1鵰le1呢？
How can I finish the report and study at the same time, killing two birds with one stone?
Related words
Common phrases
to achieve killing two birds with one stone
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with literal hunting or archery, as it is strictly used metaphorically for productivity and efficiency. Using it to describe accidental outcomes is less common, as it usually implies a deliberate, clever strategy.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
