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
-
Терпи, казак – атаманом станешь!
Be patient, Cossack - you will become an ataman!
-
Not everything that glitters is gold.
-
You can't hide an awl in a bag.
-
На Бога надейся, а сам не плошай
Put your trust in God, but don't make mistakes yourself
-
Measure seven times, cut one.
-
Trust but verify.
-
Beast runs towards the hunter.
-
С кем поведёшься, от того и наберёшься
With whom you are friends with, from them you will learn.
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