Signification
Children resemble their parents.
Contexte culturel
In Norway, this phrase is often used during 'konfirmasjon' (confirmation) speeches to highlight the positive traits a teenager has inherited from their family. Across Scandinavia, the apple metaphor is preferred over the 'chip off the old block' English version, reflecting the historical importance of fruit farming in the fjords. On Norwegian social media, parents often use the hashtag #eplefallerikkelangtfrastammen when posting photos of their children doing something that mirrors their own hobbies. In farming communities, this phrase can sometimes be used to judge a child's character based on their family's history, for better or worse.
Use it for compliments
It's a very safe way to compliment a parent by praising their child's skill.
Don't change the words
Proverbs are fixed. If you say 'Eplet faller ikke langt fra treet,' people will understand you, but it sounds 'foreign'.
Signification
Children resemble their parents.
Use it for compliments
It's a very safe way to compliment a parent by praising their child's skill.
Don't change the words
Proverbs are fixed. If you say 'Eplet faller ikke langt fra treet,' people will understand you, but it sounds 'foreign'.
The 'Eplet' variation
Using 'Eplet' (definite) sounds slightly more modern and natural in 2024 than just 'Eple'.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word in the proverb.
Eple faller ikke langt fra _______.
The correct word is 'stammen' (the trunk).
Which situation best fits the proverb?
Lise er en flink lege, akkurat som moren sin.
The proverb is used to describe children who follow in their parents' professional footsteps.
What does the proverb mean?
Hva betyr 'Eple faller ikke langt fra stammen'?
It means children resemble their parents in behavior or appearance.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Per er så flink til å tegne! B: Ja, faren er jo kunstner, så ____.
The context of a child inheriting a parent's talent perfectly fits this proverb.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesEple faller ikke langt fra _______.
The correct word is 'stammen' (the trunk).
Lise er en flink lege, akkurat som moren sin.
The proverb is used to describe children who follow in their parents' professional footsteps.
Hva betyr 'Eple faller ikke langt fra stammen'?
It means children resemble their parents in behavior or appearance.
A: Per er så flink til å tegne! B: Ja, faren er jo kunstner, så ____.
The context of a child inheriting a parent's talent perfectly fits this proverb.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
5 questionsUsually no, but it can be sarcastic if used to point out a bad habit that both parent and child share.
Yes! Unlike 'Som far, så sønn,' the apple proverb is gender-neutral and applies to any parent-child combination.
It's just the traditional way the proverb developed in Norwegian and German. 'Stammen' emphasizes the core or the source.
Extremely. You will hear it in movies, read it in news, and hear it in daily life.
Yes, if a child looks exactly like their parent, this is a perfect phrase to use.
Expressions liées
Som far, så sønn
synonymLike father, like son.
Å slekte på noen
similarTo take after someone.
Det ligger i blodet
similarIt's in the blood.
Å falle i god jord
contrastTo fall on fertile ground (to be well received).
