Korean word

일석이조

Pronunciation

Romanizationilseogijo

Meaning

  • nounkill two birds with one stone

Example

이번에 가격도 싸고 품질도 좋아서 일석이조예요.i beo ne ka gyeok tto ssa go pum jil do cho a seo il seo gi jo ye yo

This time, the price is low and the quality is good, so it's like killing two birds with one stone.

Illustration for 일석이조 (kill two birds with one stone)

More examples

자원봉사로 경험도 쌓고 사람들도 만나서 일석이조였어요.cha won bong sa ro kyeong heom do ssa ko sa ram deul do man na seo il seo gi jo yeo sseo yo

I gained experience and met people through volunteering, so it was like killing two birds with one stone.

Core concept

A single effort reaches two goals instead of just one.

Common phrases

  • 일석이조 효과il seo gi jo hyo gwa

    the effect of killing two birds with one stone

  • 일석이조로 활용하다il seo gi jo ro hwa ryong ha da

    use it to kill two birds with one stone

Similar words

두 마리 토끼tu mari tokki: A figurative phrase for accomplishing two desired tasks with one effort.
일거양득ilgeoyangdeuk: A traditional term for receiving two benefits from one course of action.

Definition in Korean

한 번의 행동으로 두 가지 이익이나 효과를 얻는 것을 이르는 말.han peo nui haeng dong eu ro tu ka ji i i gi na hyo gwa reul eon neun keo seul i reu neun mal

Word origin

The word is a Sino-Korean reading of a Chinese four-character idiom built around one stone and two birds.

Usage tips

  • The expression works well for praising an efficient choice, but its four-character style can sound more polished than relaxed everyday speech.

Opposites

Word lists with this word