殊途同归

殊途同歸

shūtútóngguī

idiom #41,388

Meanings

1 different paths to the same destination
2 different means leading to the same end

Characters

different; distinct

to return; arrive at

Examples

两种方法殊途同归，都能解决问题。

Liǎng zhǒng fāngfǎ shūtútóngguī, dōu néng jiějué wèntí.

The two methods reach the same end by different routes — both solve the problem.

他们走的路不同，但殊途同归。

Tāmen zǒu de lù bùtóng, dàn shūtútóngguī.

They took different roads, but arrived at the same place.

Tips

history

From 《周易·系辞下》: 天下同归而殊途，一致而百虑 — "all under heaven return to the same place by different paths; arrive at one conclusion through a hundred deliberations." A foundational Chinese statement of pluralism toward a shared goal.

Stroke Order

殊 shū

途 tú

同 tóng

归 guī