Japanese meaning of 一石二鳥

Meaning:

To accomplish two different objectives with a single action, making efficient use of time or resources. For example, exercising while commuting by bicycle both improves health and saves transportation costs.

Cultural Context:

Originally from a Chinese proverb recorded in classical literature, the phrase became established in Japanese during the Edo period. Today, it is used in business presentations, study tips, and lifestyle advice, often as a positive rhetorical device. English has a direct equivalent (“kill two birds with one stone”), but in Japan the nuance can also suggest clever planning.

一つの行動や工夫で複数の目的を同時に達成すること。たとえば自転車通勤をすれば、運動不足の解消と交通費の節約が両立できるというような、効率的なやり方を指します。
もとは中国の故事成語に由来し、日本には江戸時代の文献などを通じて定着した。現在ではビジネス、勉強法、生活の工夫など幅広い場面で効率の良さを強調する修辞として使われる。英語の "kill two birds with one stone" に相当するが、日本語では計画性や知恵を感じさせるニュアンスを帯びることもある。