An observation that children inherit the traits, habits, and fates of their parents. Present in every major European language as a folk observation about heredity, family resemblance, and generational continuity.
Der Apfel fällt nicht weit vom Stamm
The apple does not fall far from the trunk
🇩🇪 German
Berlin, DE
The German original that became 'the apple doesn't fall far from the tree' in English. Germany is believed to be the origin of this proverb, with the earliest records in Germanic languages. Uses 'Stamm' (trunk/stem) rather than 'tree,' which is more precise botanically.
Contributed by AdagIA Team
Το μήλο κάτω από τη μηλιά θα πέσει
The apple will fall under the apple tree
🇬🇷 Greek
Athens, GR
Pronunciation: to MI-lo KA-to a-PO ti mi-LIA tha PE-si
The Greek version of 'the apple doesn't fall far from the tree,' but with a distinctly fatalistic Greek twist — it uses the future tense 'will fall,' implying inevitability. In Greece, family reputation (the family name) carries enormous weight, and children are expected to reflect their parents' character.
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Like father, like son
🇺🇸 English
Hijo de gato caza ratón
Son of a cat hunts mice
🇨🇱 Spanish
Concepción, CL
Pronunciation: EE-hoh deh GAH-toh KAH-sah rah-TOHN
Dicho popular en el sur de Chile que expresa que los hijos heredan las cualidades de sus padres. En la cultura campesina de Concepción, se observa al comparar las habilidades de padres e hijos en las labores del campo.
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De tal palo, tal astilla
From such a stick, such a splinter
🇨🇱 Spanish
Concepción, CL
Pronunciation: deh tahl PAH-loh, tahl ahs-TEE-yah
Refrán castellano de uso diario en Concepción y el sur de Chile. Equivalente a «de tal padre, tal hijo». Se usa para señalar parecidos de carácter o conducta entre generaciones, especialmente en familias campesinas.
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Hijo de tigre, pintito
Son of a tiger, spotted
🇲🇽 Spanish
Mexico City, MX
Dicho popular mexicano equivalente a «de tal palo, tal astilla». Usa la imagen del tigre (jaguar) para expresar que los hijos heredan las cualidades de sus padres. Refleja la importancia de la familia en la cultura mexicana.
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Tel père, tel fils
Like father, like son
🇮🇹 French
Rome, IT
Un ancien proverbe français aux racines latines (« Qualis pater, talis filius »). Il exprime la croyance que les enfants héritent des traits de caractère de leurs parents. Utilisé en France depuis le Moyen Âge, il reflète l'importance de la lignée familiale dans la société française.
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La pomme ne tombe pas loin de l'arbre
The apple does not fall far from the tree
🇫🇷 French
Paris, FR
Très utilisé dans les grandes familles traditionnellement catholiques du Québec. Bien que l'expression existe en France, elle porte un poids supplémentaire au Québec étant donné l'importance culturelle des grands réseaux familiaux (les familles nombreuses) qui ont défini la société québécoise jusqu'à la Révolution tranquille des années 1960.
Contributed by AdagIA Team
Filho de peixe, peixinho é
Son of a fish is a little fish
🇵🇹 Portuguese
Lisbon, PT
Uma expressão tipicamente brasileira (não usada em Portugal) que significa que os filhos puxam aos pais. O diminutivo 'peixinho' é característico do uso afetuoso de diminutivos no português brasileiro. Usada com humor e carinho, frequentemente quando uma criança demonstra um traço dos pais.
Contributed by AdagIA Team