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Früher Vogel fängt den Wurm

/ˈfʁyːɐ ˈfoːɡl̩ fɛŋt dɛn ˈvʊʁm/
proverb★Intermediate— Early risers have an advantage◆proverb
◆ What It Really Means
Early risers or proactive individuals have an advantage in achieving their goals.
¶ Literal Meaning
An early bird catches a worm.
Literal Breakdown
Früher Vogelearly bird+fängtcatches+den Wurmthe worm
◇ Mental Image
A bird waking up early to catch a worm, symbolizing the benefits of early action.
◈ When to Use
A parent might say this to their child to encourage them to wake up early for school or to start their homework early.
◉ Cultural Note
This proverb is widely used in German-speaking cultures to promote punctuality and proactive behavior.
informal

A proverb emphasizing that those who start early or act promptly have a better chance of success or achieving their goals.

Wenn du früh anfängst, hast du mehr Zeit, alles zu erledigen.

If you start early, you have more time to get everything done.

💡

This proverb is often used to encourage punctuality and proactive behavior.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

Der späte Vogel fängt auch einen Wurmproverb
Latecomers can also succeed

💡Pro Tip

Usage Tip

This proverb is often used to encourage people to start tasks early or to wake up early to be more productive.

📖Word Origin

The origin of this proverb is uncertain, but it reflects the idea that early risers have more opportunities, possibly inspired by birds catching worms in the early morning.

📝Usage Notes

This proverb is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to motivate people to take action early.

Word Breakdown

Früher
early
adjective
+
Vogel
bird
noun
+
fängt
catches
verb
+
den Wurm
the worm
noun
Deutsch-Englisch Wörterbuch

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