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
-
You can't hide an awl in a bag.
-
Всё хорошо, что хорошо кончается
All is well that ends well.
-
Как аукнется, так и откликнется
What goes around comes around.
-
With a darling, even a hut is a paradise.
-
You can't command to the heart.
-
When the job is done, you can go for a walk.
-
One in the field is not a warrior.
-
Одна голова хорошо, а две – лучше
One head is good, but two ones are better.
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