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
-
An old friend is better than two new ones.
-
The eyes are scared, but the hands are doing.
-
Кабы знал, где упасть, так соломки бы подстелил
If I knew where I would fall, I would lay some straw there.
-
There is no bad withouth good.
-
Silent means consent.
-
Чем дальше в лес, тем больше дров
The further into the forest, the more firewood is there.
-
Everything has its time.
-
Appetite comes with eating.
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