Bedeutung
Value what you have over risks.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Slovaks value 'istota' (certainty) highly due to a history of economic instability. This proverb is often used by older generations to advise younger ones. In villages, sparrows were seen as pests but also as a constant presence. The pigeon was a symbol of something slightly more 'noble' or distant. Slovak business culture can be risk-averse. Many local entrepreneurs prefer steady growth over high-risk venture capital models. Proverbs (príslovia) are a key part of Slovak identity and are taught early in primary school as 'moral lessons'.
Shorten it!
In casual talk, just say 'Lepší vrabec v hrsti.' Everyone will know you mean to be cautious.
Don't be a killjoy
If someone is really excited about a dream, using this might make you sound too negative. Use it for serious decisions.
Bedeutung
Value what you have over risks.
Shorten it!
In casual talk, just say 'Lepší vrabec v hrsti.' Everyone will know you mean to be cautious.
Don't be a killjoy
If someone is really excited about a dream, using this might make you sound too negative. Use it for serious decisions.
Grammar Hack
Notice the 'e' at the end of 'streche'. This is the locative case. Most feminine nouns ending in 'a' change to 'e' in this position.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing words to complete the proverb.
Lepší vrabec v _______ ako _______ na streche.
The standard form uses 'hrsti' (fist) and 'holub' (pigeon).
Which situation best fits the proverb?
Jano has a safe job but wants to quit to become a famous YouTuber (which is very risky). What do you say?
This proverb is used to warn against leaving a certain thing for a risky one.
Choose the correct grammatical form.
Lepší vrabec v (hrsť) ako holub na (strecha).
Both nouns must be in the locative case after 'v' and 'na'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Mám predať dom teraz, alebo čakať na vyššiu cenu?' B: 'Trh klesá. Vieš, čo sa hovorí...'
The context of selling now versus waiting for an uncertain higher price fits this proverb perfectly.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Certainty vs. Risk
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenLepší vrabec v _______ ako _______ na streche.
The standard form uses 'hrsti' (fist) and 'holub' (pigeon).
Jano has a safe job but wants to quit to become a famous YouTuber (which is very risky). What do you say?
This proverb is used to warn against leaving a certain thing for a risky one.
Lepší vrabec v (hrsť) ako holub na (strecha).
Both nouns must be in the locative case after 'v' and 'na'.
A: 'Mám predať dom teraz, alebo čakať na vyššiu cenu?' B: 'Trh klesá. Vieš, čo sa hovorí...'
The context of selling now versus waiting for an uncertain higher price fits this proverb perfectly.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes, though often ironically or when discussing serious topics like mortgages and jobs.
They were the most common birds in Slovak towns. A sparrow is small and easy to catch; a pigeon is bigger but flies higher.
You can, and people will understand, but it won't sound like the official proverb.
In Slovak, 'ako' is the standard for comparisons. 'Než' is more common in Czech.
It's neutral. You can use it with your boss or your grandmother.
Use 'Kto neriskuje, nič nezíska' instead.
It specifically means 'handful' or the space inside a closed fist.
No, proverbs are usually 'frozen' in one specific order.
Yes, 'Istota je guľomet' is the most common modern alternative.
The 'r' is the vowel. Try saying 'h-r-s-t-i' with a rolling 'r'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Istota je guľomet
similarCertainty is a machine gun (Better safe than sorry).
Nekupuj mačku vo vreci
similarDon't buy a cat in a sack.
Kto nič neriskuje, nič nezíska
contrastWho risks nothing, gains nothing.
Bližšia košeľa ako kabát
similarThe shirt is closer than the coat.
