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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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