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  What it means

  A father’s flaw is inherited by his children: the apple falls close to its own apple tree. Children often repeat their parents’ faults, as traits can pass from one generation to the next.

  English equivalent

  The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

  Vocabulary

  • ojczysty — paternal, of the father
  • dziedziczyć — to inherit
  • wada — flaw, fault, defect
  • jabłoń — apple tree
  • jabłko — apple
  • padać — to fall

  Grammar note

  'Ojczysta wada' is the subject (nominative). 'W dzieciach' is locative. 'Blisko swej jabłoni' uses the genitive after 'blisko'.

  Cultural context

  This is the Polish form of a well-known English saying. The second clause states the apple-tree image directly.

  Intermediate

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