Kleinvieh macht auch Mist
small amounts add up too; every little bit counts
Origin
The proverb comes from farming life: even small livestock produces manure, which was valued as fertiliser, so even a small yield is worthwhile. Figuratively it means that many small contributions add up to something worthwhile.
Building blocks
Words in this expression
Grammar that uses this word
- Subordinate clause with 'wenn' (if/when, temporal/conditional)Nebensatz mit 'wenn' (temporal/konditional)
- Indirect question with a W-word (wann/wo/wie …)Indirekte Frage mit W-Wort
- Adjective declension after the definite article (nom./acc.)Adjektivdeklination nach bestimmtem Artikel (Nom./Akk.)
- Adjective declension after the indefinite article (nom./acc.)Adjektivdeklination nach unbestimmtem Artikel (Nom./Akk.)
Examples
Zehn sind nicht , aber Kleinvieh macht auch .
Ten euros off isn't much, but every little bit counts.