Lepszy rydz niż nic
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What it means
“Better a saffron milk cap than nothing.” Even a small or modest thing is better than having nothing. The rydz, an edible mushroom, stands for a humble but real gain.
English equivalent
Something is better than nothing.
Vocabulary
- rydz — saffron milk cap (a type of mushroom)
- nic — nothing
Grammar note
Simple comparative structure: 'lepszy' (better, masculine) + noun + 'niż' + 'nic'.
Cultural context
Mushroom picking is a popular Polish tradition, so a rydz is a clear symbol of a small but welcome find.
Beginner
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