عصفور في اليد خير من عشرة على الشجرة
usfur fi al-yad khayr min ashara ala al-shajara
A bird in hand is better than ten on the tree
Significado
Advises to value what one already possesses over potential, uncertain gains.
Contexto cultural
In the Levant, this proverb is often used with a slight melodic intonation. It reflects the merchant culture of cities like Damascus and Aleppo where a 'cash in hand' deal was always preferred over credit. Egyptians love proverbs and often use them to end an argument. You might hear it shortened or followed by a joke about the birds flying away anyway. In the Gulf, where rapid modernization occurred, this proverb is sometimes used by the older generation to caution youth against overly risky financial ventures in the stock market. While understood, Maghrebi dialects might use different imagery involving fish in the sea, but the 'Asfour' version remains the literary standard taught in schools.
Use for Advice
This is best used when someone asks for your opinion on a risky move.
Don't Overuse
Using it too much can make you sound like you lack ambition.
Significado
Advises to value what one already possesses over potential, uncertain gains.
Use for Advice
This is best used when someone asks for your opinion on a risky move.
Don't Overuse
Using it too much can make you sound like you lack ambition.
Dialect Hack
In Egypt, say 'fil-eed' instead of 'fil-yad' to sound more native.
The Power of Ten
Remember to use 'ten' (Ashara), not 'two', to show you know Arabic culture.
Teste-se
Complete the proverb with the correct words.
عصفور في اليد خير من _______ على الشجرة.
The traditional number used in this Arabic proverb is ten (عشرة).
Which situation best fits this proverb?
Sami has a guaranteed $100 now, or a 10% chance to win $1000 later. He takes the $100.
This proverb is about choosing a certain small gain over an uncertain large one.
Match the Arabic word to its English literal meaning in the proverb.
1. عصفور, 2. اليد, 3. خير, 4. الشجرة
Basic vocabulary matching from the proverb.
What would a wise friend say?
Friend A: 'I might quit my job to become a famous YouTuber, even though I have no followers yet.' Friend B: '________'
The proverb is a warning against leaving a certain thing for an uncertain dream.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Arabic vs English Proverb
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosعصفور في اليد خير من _______ على الشجرة.
The traditional number used in this Arabic proverb is ten (عشرة).
Sami has a guaranteed $100 now, or a 10% chance to win $1000 later. He takes the $100.
This proverb is about choosing a certain small gain over an uncertain large one.
Combine cada item a esquerda com seu par a direita:
Basic vocabulary matching from the proverb.
Friend A: 'I might quit my job to become a famous YouTuber, even though I have no followers yet.' Friend B: '________'
The proverb is a warning against leaving a certain thing for an uncertain dream.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasNo, it is a secular folk proverb, though it aligns with Islamic values of contentment (Qana'a).
Yes, it is very common in casual conversation among friends and family.
Arabic culture often uses 'ten' or 'seventy' to represent 'many' or 'a lot'.
It might be seen as too informal or critical of their strategy. Use with caution.
Asafir (عصافير).
Yes, the proverb is fixed. You can't change it to 'a cat in the hand'.
Like you are clearing your throat, similar to the Spanish 'J'.
Yes, especially in economic sections regarding market stability.
Use 'من لا يركب البحر لا يركب الدرر' (He who doesn't sail the sea won't get the pearls).
No, it's a simple A is B sentence. Very beginner-friendly.
Frases relacionadas
القناعة كنز لا يفنى
similarContentment is an inexhaustible treasure.
بيضة اليوم خير من دجاجة الغد
synonymAn egg today is better than a chicken tomorrow.
ضرب عصفورين بحجر واحد
builds onTo kill two birds with one stone.
طمع إبليس في الجنة
contrastThe greed of Satan for Heaven.
