Japanese meaning of 蛙の子は蛙
Reading:
かえるのこはかえる (kaeru no ko wa kaeru)
English Translation:
Like father, like son
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
Children resemble their parents.
Cultural Context:
Used neutrally or teasingly in families, sports, and talent discussions; echoes lineage awareness.
子は親に似るという意味。
家庭・スポーツ・才能談義で中立的または冗談交じりに使用。家系意識とも共鳴。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• 蛙の子 = noun phrase “frog’s child”
• は = topic particle
• 蛙 = “frog”
Topic–comment structure expressing that offspring resemble their parents.
Trap for English Speakers
Literal meaning may confuse learners; it says children tend to resemble their parents.
Example
Basic Example
親が有名人なら、その子も同じ道を歩むことが多い。蛙の子は蛙だ。
If the parent is a certain way, the child often follows—like father, like son.
Applied Example
恋愛下手な親に似たのか、僕も蛙の子は蛙だな。
Maybe I got it from my parents, but in love, like father, like son.