Signification
Children are often like their parents.
Contexte culturel
In Hungarian villages, people are often identified by their family's reputation for generations. This proverb is a way of reinforcing that social identity. In Szekler (Székely) culture, this proverb is often used with a bit of dry, dark humor regarding stubbornness or specific family 'vices'. Modern city dwellers use it ironically to describe children who are tech-savvy just like their 'geek' parents. For Hungarians living abroad, this phrase is often used to celebrate when a child born in another country still speaks Hungarian or keeps traditions.
Shorten it!
In casual talk, just say 'Nem esik messze az alma.' Everyone will understand you.
Watch the tone
If you say this about a bad trait, it might sound like you are insulting the parent too!
Signification
Children are often like their parents.
Shorten it!
In casual talk, just say 'Nem esik messze az alma.' Everyone will understand you.
Watch the tone
If you say this about a bad trait, it might sound like you are insulting the parent too!
Complimenting
Hungarians love it when you notice family resemblances. It shows you are paying attention to their 'roots'.
Teste-toi
Töltsd ki a hiányzó részt!
Nem esik messze az ______ a fájától.
The proverb specifically uses 'alma' (apple).
Mikor használjuk ezt a mondást?
Melyik szituációban illik a mondás?
The proverb is used to describe family similarities.
Párosítsd a szavakat!
Hungarian to English
Basic vocabulary matching.
Egészítsd ki a párbeszédet!
A: 'Kati is nagyon jól zongorázik, mint az anyukája.' B: 'Igen, ______.'
The proverb fits perfectly as a response to a comment about inherited talent.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesNem esik messze az ______ a fájától.
The proverb specifically uses 'alma' (apple).
Melyik szituációban illik a mondás?
The proverb is used to describe family similarities.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Basic vocabulary matching.
A: 'Kati is nagyon jól zongorázik, mint az anyukája.' B: 'Igen, ______.'
The proverb fits perfectly as a response to a comment about inherited talent.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes! Unlike the French 'Tel père, tel fils', the Hungarian apple metaphor is gender-neutral and applies to any parent-child combination.
No, it can be negative. If a child is lazy and the parent is also lazy, you can use it sarcastically.
It means 'from its tree'. 'Fa' is tree, '-ja' is its, and '-tól' is from.
Yes, but 'Köpött apja' is more common for just physical looks. This proverb usually implies behavior or personality too.
It is 'fájától'. '-tól' implies moving away from the source, which is the standard idiom.
Yes, it's a very 'living' proverb. You'll see it in memes and YouTube comments all the time.
No, it's strictly apples in Hungarian. Using 'körte' (pear) would sound like a joke.
Not really. It strongly implies biological or family connection.
You would say 'Messze esett az alma a fájától.' This is used when a child is completely different from their parents.
It's neutral. You can use it with your boss or your grandma.
Expressions liées
Köpött apja
similarThe spitting image of his father.
Vérében van
similarIt's in his/her blood.
Zsák a foltját megtalálja
similarThe bag finds its patch (Birds of a feather flock together).
Kutyából nem lesz szalonna
contrastYou can't make bacon out of a dog.
