Proverb / Kotowaza
一長一短
Everything and everyone has both strong points and weak points; nothing is perfect.
One long, one short.
Quick Answer
Everything and everyone has both strong points and weak points; nothing is perfect.
- Literal Image
- One long, one short.
- Closest Equivalent
- Every coin has two sides.
- How to Use It
- Used when evaluating options, people, or things to acknowledge that they possess both good qualities and flaws, and that no choice is entirely without drawbacks.
Meaning
Every person or thing has both advantages and disadvantages, meaning that nothing is completely flawless. It is also used to describe a situation where two options each have distinct merits and demerits, making it difficult to simply declare one superior to the other.
Literal Image
One long, one short.
Equivalent Proverbs
Every coin has two sides.
Shares the idea that things have opposing aspects.
Every bean has its black.
Shares the idea that nothing and no one is completely flawless.
Nothing is perfect.
A direct statement of the proverb's core lesson.
Pros and cons.
An English idiom for advantages and disadvantages.
How to Use It
Used when evaluating options, people, or things to acknowledge that they possess both good qualities and flaws, and that no choice is entirely without drawbacks.
Tone
Neutral and objective.
Examples
A案もB案もそれぞれに「一長一短」があり、どちらを採用すべきか決めかねている。
Plan A and Plan B each have their pros and cons, so I'm having trouble deciding which one to adopt.
デジタル化は便利だが、情報漏洩のリスクも高まるため、まさに「一長一短」だと言える。
Digitization is convenient, but it also increases the risk of information leaks, so you could say it definitely has its advantages and disadvantages.
彼の性格は、行動力がある点は素晴らしいが、少し強引すぎるところもあり、「一長一短」だ。
As for his personality, it's great that he's proactive, but he can also be a bit too pushy, so he has both good and bad points.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
A four-character idiom (yojijukugo) using basic kanji representing 'one long, one short' to express strengths and weaknesses.
一長
いっちょう / itcho
one strength; one advantage
一短
いったん / ittan
one weakness; one disadvantage
Usage Profile
Misread Risk
Do not translate it literally as measuring length; it refers specifically to the presence of both merits (long/strong points) and demerits (short/weak points).
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Related Proverbs
Origin
This expression derives directly from its kanji composition, forming a parallel phrase that means 'if there is one strength, there is one weakness.' The ancient Chinese philosophical text Lunheng (論衡) contains the phrase '一短一長' in a context discussing how people's talents and natures are uneven, meaning no one is completely flawless. From this realistic recognition that perfection does not exist, it became established as an expression used to view things from multiple perspectives.
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Source Note
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