Jabuka ne pada daleko od stabla
jabuka ne pada daleko od stabla
Apple does not fall far from tree
Signification
Children are like their parents.
Contexte culturel
In rural Serbia, orchards are a symbol of a family's health and continuity. An apple tree that produces good fruit is a source of pride for the whole village. Historically, Serbian society was very patriarchal. This proverb was often used to emphasize the father's influence on his sons, though today it is used equally for mothers and daughters. 'Obraz' (honor/face) is tied to the family. If a child does something bad, it 'dirties' the family's face, because 'the apple doesn't fall far from the tree'—implying the parents raised them that way. Younger generations in Belgrade often use the phrase ironically to describe someone who is 'basic' or exactly like their 'uncool' parents.
Use it for compliments
It's a very safe way to compliment a parent on their child's behavior.
Watch the Genitive
Don't say 'od stablo'. The 'a' at the end of 'stabla' is crucial for correct grammar.
Signification
Children are like their parents.
Use it for compliments
It's a very safe way to compliment a parent on their child's behavior.
Watch the Genitive
Don't say 'od stablo'. The 'a' at the end of 'stabla' is crucial for correct grammar.
The 'Iver' alternative
If you want to sound like a native from the countryside, use 'Iver ne pada daleko od klade'.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word in the Genitive case.
Jabuka ne pada daleko od _______.
The preposition 'od' always takes the Genitive case. For the neuter noun 'stablo', the genitive singular is 'stabla'.
Which situation best fits the proverb?
Marko je postao poznat slikar, baš kao i njegova majka.
This situation describes a child inheriting a talent from a parent, which is the core meaning of the proverb.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Vidi kako je tvoj sin vredan u bašti!' B: 'Pa, znaš kako kažu...'
The speaker is acknowledging that the son's hard work is a reflection of the family's traits.
Match the Serbian phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are the standard translations for these related family idioms.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
When to use this phrase
Positive
- • Talent
- • Kindness
- • Success
Negative
- • Laziness
- • Bad temper
- • Clumsiness
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesJabuka ne pada daleko od _______.
The preposition 'od' always takes the Genitive case. For the neuter noun 'stablo', the genitive singular is 'stabla'.
Marko je postao poznat slikar, baš kao i njegova majka.
This situation describes a child inheriting a talent from a parent, which is the core meaning of the proverb.
A: 'Vidi kako je tvoj sin vredan u bašti!' B: 'Pa, znaš kako kažu...'
The speaker is acknowledging that the son's hard work is a reflection of the family's traits.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the standard translations for these related family idioms.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsGenerally no, but it can be if used to point out a parent's bad traits in their child.
Yes, it's very common to use it when a child looks exactly like a parent.
Sometimes people just say 'Jabuka ne pada daleko...' and leave the rest implied.
The proverb strictly uses 'stabla'. 'Drveta' would be understood but sounds wrong.
Occasionally, yes, if the bond is very strong, but it's 99% for biological family.
Yes, it is identical across all BCS (Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian) variants.
There isn't a direct proverbial opposite, but you might say 'On je crna ovca' (He is the black sheep).
Yes, if you are discussing family businesses or legacies.
Despite plums being the national fruit, 'apple' is the standard European metaphor for this proverb.
No, it's specifically for the vertical relationship (parent to child).
Expressions liées
Iver ne pada daleko od klade
synonymA chip doesn't fall far from the log.
Kakav otac, takav sin
similarLike father, like son.
Krv nije voda
builds onBlood is not water.
Gledaj majku, biraj ćerku
specialized formLook at the mother, choose the daughter.
