Idioms and literary wording

Hanzi Tools · Learning guide · Updated 6 November 2026

A four-character expression may carry a conventional meaning that cannot be recovered by translating each character. Check the whole expression and its register.

Compare the examples

一举两得

achieve two gains with one action

入乡随俗

adapt to local customs

Try it yourself

一举两得 is closest to:

1. achieve two things with one action
2. take two steps backwards

Practise in context

Write a sentence about something that happened to you, using this pattern. Keep the first version short so you can check the word order. Then change one part, such as the time, person or object, and compare what the new sentence means.

Use the grammar exercises for another comparison. You can paste your example into the Chinese reader to check words and pinyin. An automatic reading is a reference; it cannot settle every question of meaning or naturalness.