Лучше синица в руках, чем журавль в небе
With accent marks:
Лу́чше сини́ца в рука́х, чем жура́вль в не́бе.
Translation:
A titmouse in hands is better than a crane in the sky.
Meaning:
It is better to have at least something but today, than to rely on vague promises but for tomorrow - this is the meaning of this proverb.
It has many variations in different languages. Even the ancient Romans used an expression that can be translated as follows:
- Better a sparrow in hands than a goose in the sky.
The English equivalent of this proverb is "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush".
Other Russian proverbs
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Your own shirt is closer to your body.
-
Some to the forest, some for firewood.
-
Appetite comes with eating.
-
Бесплатный сыр только в мышеловке
Free cheese is only in a mousetrap.
-
Каждый кулик своё болото хвалит
Each sandpiper praises its swamp.
-
Волков бояться – в лес не ходить
Don't go to the woods if afraid of wolves.
-
По одёжке встречают, по уму провожают
You are greeted by your clothes but bid farewell by your mind.
-
Everything has its time.
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