Od swej jabłoni blisko jabłko pada
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What it means
“The apple falls close to its own apple tree.” Children take after their parents. A variant emphasising the possessive ‘swej’ (its own), stressing the natural bond between parent and offspring.
English equivalent
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
Vocabulary
- swój — one's own
- jabłoń — apple tree
- blisko — close, near
- jabłko — apple
- padać — to fall
Grammar note
'Od swej jabłoni' — 'swej' is the genitive feminine singular of 'swój', agreeing with 'jabłoni' (genitive of 'jabłoń'). 'Blisko' is an adverb.
Cultural context
One of several variants of the apple-tree proverb in Polish. The possessive 'swej' adds a nuance of inevitability — the apple belongs to that tree and cannot stray far.
Intermediate
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