petit à petit l'oiseau fait son nid

/pə.ti a pə.ti l‿wa.zo fɛ sɔ̃ ni/◆proverb
slowly but surely

Petit à petit l'oiseau fait son nid, et moi aussi je progresse.

Slowly but surely, the bird builds its nest, and I am making progress too.

◆ What It Really Means
The idea that steady, incremental effort leads to success over time.
Literal Meaning
Little by little, the bird builds its nest.
Literal Breakdown
petit à petitlittle by little+l'oiseauthe bird+fait son nidbuilds its nest
◇ Mental Image
A bird carefully and patiently constructing its nest, piece by piece.
◈ When to Use
A teacher might say this to a student who is struggling with a difficult subject, encouraging them to keep practicing and not give up.
◉ Cultural Note
This proverb reflects the French cultural value of patience and perseverance, often seen in their approach to work, education, and personal growth.
informal

To achieve something gradually through persistent effort, emphasizing patience and steady progress.

Avec de la pratique, petit à petit l'oiseau fait son nid, et tu vas maîtriser cette langue.

With practice, slowly but surely, you will master this language.

Ne t'inquiète pas, petit à petit l'oiseau fait son nid, et tu vas réussir.

Don't worry, slowly but surely, you will succeed.

This proverb is often used to encourage perseverance and patience in achieving long-term goals.

Related Phrases

Pro Tip

Usage Context

This proverb is often used to comfort or motivate someone who is working on a long-term project or learning a new skill.

Gold Rule

Patience

Remember that progress often comes slowly, and persistence is key.

Word Origin

The proverb originates from the observation of birds building their nests slowly and methodically, symbolizing the value of patience and incremental progress.

Usage Notes

This expression is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to emphasize the importance of steady effort over time.

Word Breakdown

petit à petit
little by little
phrase
+
l'oiseau
the bird
noun
+
fait son nid
builds its nest
phrase
Dictionnaire Français-Anglais