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  What it means

  Literally “what kind of mothers, such children,” this proverb asserts that children’s characters and behavior are shaped by their mothers — or more broadly, by the home environment. It is a plural variant of the similar “Jaka matka, taka córka” and extends the observation to all children, not just daughters. For example: “Nie dziw się, że tak zachowują się dzieci — jakie matki, takie dziatki” — “No wonder the children behave like that — like mother, like child.”

  English equivalent

  Like mother, like child. / The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

  Vocabulary

  • jakie — what kind of (plural correlative adjective, nominative)
  • matki — mothers (nominative plural of matka)
  • takie — such, like that (plural correlative adjective, nominative)
  • dziatki — children (diminutive/archaic plural of dzieci)

  Grammar note

  The 'jaki...taki' correlative appears here in the plural: 'jakie' and 'takie' agree with the plural nouns 'matki' and 'dziatki.' Note that 'dziatki' is an archaic and poetic diminutive plural of 'dzieci' (children); modern Polish would say 'dzieci,' but the diminutive is preserved in the proverb for rhyme and traditional flavor.

  Cultural context

  The word 'dziatki' gives this proverb an old-fashioned, slightly poetic quality that makes it feel like a traditional folk saying. It is still understood by all Poles but carries a faintly humorous or grandmotherly air when used today. It is slightly broader in meaning than 'Jaka matka, taka córka' because it applies to all children, not just daughters.

  Beginner

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