The Chinese proverb "早起的鸟儿有虫吃" (zǎo qǐ de niǎo er yǒu chóng chī) translates into English means "The early bird catches the worm." It conveys the idea that those who wake up early or take action promptly are more likely to succeed or gain advantages. The proverb emphasises the importance of diligence, initiative, and being proactive in order to achieve success or seize opportunities.