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I learned recently that both 一箭双雕 and 一石二鸟 are equivalent to the phrase "kill two birds with one stone". Is there any difference between these two? Do they have different connotations? Would you use them in different situations?

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As you mentioned, both 「一箭雙雕 」and 「一石二鳥」are equivalent to the English idiom " kill two birds with one stone" . The difference is the scenario of the metaphor . You can say the two idioms are basically the same, but「一箭雙雕 」 is more decisive and forceful, while 「一石二鳥」 is more methodical and calculated.

  • 「一箭雙雕 」(one arrow goes through two condors) describe two goals being achieved by one straight forward action-- that take great aim, skill and power.

  • 「一石二鳥」( hit two birds with one stone) also describe one action achieves two goals, but the stone has to hit the first bird and then bounds to hit the second bird-- that take skill, planing and calculation.

  • 「一箭雙雕」focus on the result: You can describe someone dating two sisters at the same time as 「一箭雙雕 」, but not 「一石二鳥」.

  • 「一石二鳥」 focus on the method: People say " 「一石二鳥之計」( the trick that kill two birds with one stone) but not 「一箭雙雕之計」。

  • Another term similar to the two is 「一舉兩得」( take one action and get two benefits)

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  • In English, killing two birds with one stone can also be just lucky, or convenient. If the barber shop is next door to the grocery I can kill two birds with one stone by picking up groceries when I get my hair cut. No skill on my part, it is just convenient. That is more like 一舉兩得. Does Chinese have that sense for 一石二鳥?
    – Colin McLarty
    Sep 4, 2016 at 13:12
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    「一舉兩得」 is the appropriate phrase to describe the scenario in you example. I already stated「一石二鳥」focus on the method, that's why we say 「一石二鳥之計」. The method of using one stone to kill two birds must be methodical and calculated.
    – Tang Ho ♦
    Sep 4, 2016 at 14:15
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    As a native Chinese, I don't think there is difference between these.
    – Zang MingJie
    Sep 5, 2016 at 11:55
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    I like this answer, very clarify, 一箭双雕 focus on the goal, 一石二鸟 on the way, the difference is very subtle.
    – sfy
    Sep 6, 2016 at 9:06
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    @ColinMcLarty It can, there is also a slang : 搂草打兔子( in old days, people collect grass for winter, if there jumps out a rabbit, then he can hit it)
    – sfy
    Sep 6, 2016 at 9:14

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