Suitable English idiom for the Chinese idiom “Three years old fixes eighty” (三歲定八十)
The Chinese saying "Three years old fixes eighty" (三歲定八十) means roughly: From the character and personality traits revealed by a three year old, one can infer that he will have similar traits as an eighty year old. So e.g. if a three year old does something crafty or sneaky, the parent might use this idiom to mean (usually half-jokingly) that he will be just as crafty or sneaky when he is eighty.
Is there an English idiom that closely corresponds to this Chinese idiom?
(Briefly Googling, one blogger claims that Wordsworth's "The Child is father of the Man" is suitable, but I am not sure if this is really what Wordsworth meant, and even if it were, this idiom seems to be rarely if ever used. )
idiom-requests
asked May 16 '15 at 14:39
Kenny LJKenny LJ
1,398133549
add a comment |
The Chinese saying "Three years old fixes eighty" (三歲定八十) means roughly: From the character and personality traits revealed by a three year old, one can infer that he will have similar traits as an eighty year old. So e.g. if a three year old does something crafty or sneaky, the parent might use this idiom to mean (usually half-jokingly) that he will be just as crafty or sneaky when he is eighty.
Is there an English idiom that closely corresponds to this Chinese idiom?
(Briefly Googling, one blogger claims that Wordsworth's "The Child is father of the Man" is suitable, but I am not sure if this is really what Wordsworth meant, and even if it were, this idiom seems to be rarely if ever used. )
idiom-requests
asked May 16 '15 at 14:39
Kenny LJKenny LJ
1,398133549
2
We would have to be thoroughly knowledgeable with what the Chinese means to attempt this, so I am fairly sure this question is beyond the scope of what we can answer here on English Language & Usage.
– Robusto
May 16 '15 at 14:41
4
@Robusto The idiom is explained quite well and adequately in the question, I’d say. If there is an idiom in English that expresses the same notion, that should be answerable enough (though I can’t think of any off the top of my head). Interpreting what Wordsworth meant is arguably off-topic as lit crit, but the other part of the question seems entirely within the scope of ELU to me.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
May 16 '15 at 15:25
3
@JanusBahsJacquet: The primary question here, as expressed by the OP, is about whether Wordsworth's words are the best translation of something that would require expert-level Chinese to render an informed opinion on. I am not prepared to stipulate that the OP has the required expertise. If the OP can edit the question to be more on topic, I'll withdraw my objection. For the record, I did not vote to close.
– Robusto
May 16 '15 at 16:06
add a comment |
The Chinese saying "Three years old fixes eighty" (三歲定八十) means roughly: From the character and personality traits revealed by a three year old, one can infer that he will have similar traits as an eighty year old. So e.g. if a three year old does something crafty or sneaky, the parent might use this idiom to mean (usually half-jokingly) that he will be just as crafty or sneaky when he is eighty.
Is there an English idiom that closely corresponds to this Chinese idiom?
(Briefly Googling, one blogger claims that Wordsworth's "The Child is father of the Man" is suitable, but I am not sure if this is really what Wordsworth meant, and even if it were, this idiom seems to be rarely if ever used. )
idiom-requests
asked May 16 '15 at 14:39
Kenny LJKenny LJ
1,398133549
The Chinese saying "Three years old fixes eighty" (三歲定八十) means roughly: From the character and personality traits revealed by a three year old, one can infer that he will have similar traits as an eighty year old. So e.g. if a three year old does something crafty or sneaky, the parent might use this idiom to mean (usually half-jokingly) that he will be just as crafty or sneaky when he is eighty.
Is there an English idiom that closely corresponds to this Chinese idiom?
(Briefly Googling, one blogger claims that Wordsworth's "The Child is father of the Man" is suitable, but I am not sure if this is really what Wordsworth meant, and even if it were, this idiom seems to be rarely if ever used. )
idiom-requests
idiom-requests
asked May 16 '15 at 14:39
Kenny LJKenny LJ
1,398133549
asked May 16 '15 at 14:39
Kenny LJKenny LJ
1,398133549
edited May 17 '15 at 16:10
Kenny LJ
asked May 16 '15 at 14:39
Kenny LJKenny LJ
1,398133549
asked May 16 '15 at 14:39
Kenny LJKenny LJ
1,398133549
asked May 16 '15 at 14:39
Kenny LJKenny LJ
1,398133549
1,398133549
2
We would have to be thoroughly knowledgeable with what the Chinese means to attempt this, so I am fairly sure this question is beyond the scope of what we can answer here on English Language & Usage.
– Robusto
May 16 '15 at 14:41
4
@Robusto The idiom is explained quite well and adequately in the question, I’d say. If there is an idiom in English that expresses the same notion, that should be answerable enough (though I can’t think of any off the top of my head). Interpreting what Wordsworth meant is arguably off-topic as lit crit, but the other part of the question seems entirely within the scope of ELU to me.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
May 16 '15 at 15:25
3
@JanusBahsJacquet: The primary question here, as expressed by the OP, is about whether Wordsworth's words are the best translation of something that would require expert-level Chinese to render an informed opinion on. I am not prepared to stipulate that the OP has the required expertise. If the OP can edit the question to be more on topic, I'll withdraw my objection. For the record, I did not vote to close.
– Robusto
May 16 '15 at 16:06
add a comment |
2
We would have to be thoroughly knowledgeable with what the Chinese means to attempt this, so I am fairly sure this question is beyond the scope of what we can answer here on English Language & Usage.
– Robusto
May 16 '15 at 14:41
4
@Robusto The idiom is explained quite well and adequately in the question, I’d say. If there is an idiom in English that expresses the same notion, that should be answerable enough (though I can’t think of any off the top of my head). Interpreting what Wordsworth meant is arguably off-topic as lit crit, but the other part of the question seems entirely within the scope of ELU to me.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
May 16 '15 at 15:25
3
@JanusBahsJacquet: The primary question here, as expressed by the OP, is about whether Wordsworth's words are the best translation of something that would require expert-level Chinese to render an informed opinion on. I am not prepared to stipulate that the OP has the required expertise. If the OP can edit the question to be more on topic, I'll withdraw my objection. For the record, I did not vote to close.
– Robusto
May 16 '15 at 16:06
2
2
We would have to be thoroughly knowledgeable with what the Chinese means to attempt this, so I am fairly sure this question is beyond the scope of what we can answer here on English Language & Usage.
– Robusto
May 16 '15 at 14:41
We would have to be thoroughly knowledgeable with what the Chinese means to attempt this, so I am fairly sure this question is beyond the scope of what we can answer here on English Language & Usage.
– Robusto
May 16 '15 at 14:41
4
4
@Robusto The idiom is explained quite well and adequately in the question, I’d say. If there is an idiom in English that expresses the same notion, that should be answerable enough (though I can’t think of any off the top of my head). Interpreting what Wordsworth meant is arguably off-topic as lit crit, but the other part of the question seems entirely within the scope of ELU to me.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
May 16 '15 at 15:25
@Robusto The idiom is explained quite well and adequately in the question, I’d say. If there is an idiom in English that expresses the same notion, that should be answerable enough (though I can’t think of any off the top of my head). Interpreting what Wordsworth meant is arguably off-topic as lit crit, but the other part of the question seems entirely within the scope of ELU to me.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
May 16 '15 at 15:25
3
3
@JanusBahsJacquet: The primary question here, as expressed by the OP, is about whether Wordsworth's words are the best translation of something that would require expert-level Chinese to render an informed opinion on. I am not prepared to stipulate that the OP has the required expertise. If the OP can edit the question to be more on topic, I'll withdraw my objection. For the record, I did not vote to close.
– Robusto
May 16 '15 at 16:06
@JanusBahsJacquet: The primary question here, as expressed by the OP, is about whether Wordsworth's words are the best translation of something that would require expert-level Chinese to render an informed opinion on. I am not prepared to stipulate that the OP has the required expertise. If the OP can edit the question to be more on topic, I'll withdraw my objection. For the record, I did not vote to close.
– Robusto
May 16 '15 at 16:06
add a comment |
4 Answers
4
active
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votes
According to the Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable,
As the twig is bent, so is the tree inclined.
as the poet Alexander Pope wrote around 1732, means early influences have a permanent effect.
edited Aug 24 '16 at 20:06
choster
38k1486139
answered Aug 24 '16 at 17:09
docwebheaddocwebhead
35426
"The nut doesn't fall far from the tree"
– Mitch
Aug 24 '16 at 17:28
@drew that's why it's a comment, related to this answer, and not an answer itself.
– Mitch
Aug 24 '16 at 18:22
I have corrected the quote and added a citation. Please remember to include your references.
– choster
Aug 24 '16 at 20:06
add a comment |
"The child is the father of the man" does fit here.
- "Every man was once a child, and his character has developed from his character as a child. In the same way his body has developed from the child's body, so in two ways the child can be called "father of the man"." A. Johnson, Common English Proverbs
answered May 16 '15 at 16:04
CentaurusCentaurus
38.6k31125247
add a comment |
"Give me the child at seven and I will show you the man." is an old Jesuit saying.
answered 31 mins ago
Michele ScrimentiMichele Scrimenti
111
New contributor
Michele Scrimenti is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
Although the vast majority of expressions involving the ability of wine and people (usually women) to improve with age are framed as positive comparisons, which render the opposite of what you are seeking (people/women, like wine, improve with age), I have heard the expression used negatively to contrast these abilities, which comes pretty close to the notion you seek:
People, unlike wine, don’t improve/mature/get better with age.
answered May 17 '15 at 17:47
Papa PoulePapa Poule
9,54121544
add a comment |
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4 Answers
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active
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4 Answers
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According to the Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable,
As the twig is bent, so is the tree inclined.
as the poet Alexander Pope wrote around 1732, means early influences have a permanent effect.
edited Aug 24 '16 at 20:06
choster
38k1486139
answered Aug 24 '16 at 17:09
docwebheaddocwebhead
35426
"The nut doesn't fall far from the tree"
– Mitch
Aug 24 '16 at 17:28
@drew that's why it's a comment, related to this answer, and not an answer itself.
– Mitch
Aug 24 '16 at 18:22
I have corrected the quote and added a citation. Please remember to include your references.
– choster
Aug 24 '16 at 20:06
add a comment |
According to the Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable,
As the twig is bent, so is the tree inclined.
as the poet Alexander Pope wrote around 1732, means early influences have a permanent effect.
edited Aug 24 '16 at 20:06
choster
38k1486139
answered Aug 24 '16 at 17:09
docwebheaddocwebhead
35426
"The nut doesn't fall far from the tree"
– Mitch
Aug 24 '16 at 17:28
@drew that's why it's a comment, related to this answer, and not an answer itself.
– Mitch
Aug 24 '16 at 18:22
I have corrected the quote and added a citation. Please remember to include your references.
– choster
Aug 24 '16 at 20:06
add a comment |
According to the Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable,
As the twig is bent, so is the tree inclined.
as the poet Alexander Pope wrote around 1732, means early influences have a permanent effect.
edited Aug 24 '16 at 20:06
choster
38k1486139
answered Aug 24 '16 at 17:09
docwebheaddocwebhead
35426
According to the Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable,
As the twig is bent, so is the tree inclined.
as the poet Alexander Pope wrote around 1732, means early influences have a permanent effect.
edited Aug 24 '16 at 20:06
choster
38k1486139
answered Aug 24 '16 at 17:09
docwebheaddocwebhead
35426
edited Aug 24 '16 at 20:06
choster
38k1486139
edited Aug 24 '16 at 20:06
choster
38k1486139
edited Aug 24 '16 at 20:06
choster
38k1486139
38k1486139
answered Aug 24 '16 at 17:09
docwebheaddocwebhead
35426
answered Aug 24 '16 at 17:09
docwebheaddocwebhead
35426
answered Aug 24 '16 at 17:09
docwebheaddocwebhead
35426
35426
"The nut doesn't fall far from the tree"
– Mitch
Aug 24 '16 at 17:28
@drew that's why it's a comment, related to this answer, and not an answer itself.
– Mitch
Aug 24 '16 at 18:22
I have corrected the quote and added a citation. Please remember to include your references.
– choster
Aug 24 '16 at 20:06
add a comment |
"The nut doesn't fall far from the tree"
– Mitch
Aug 24 '16 at 17:28
@drew that's why it's a comment, related to this answer, and not an answer itself.
– Mitch
Aug 24 '16 at 18:22
I have corrected the quote and added a citation. Please remember to include your references.
– choster
Aug 24 '16 at 20:06
"The nut doesn't fall far from the tree"
– Mitch
Aug 24 '16 at 17:28
"The nut doesn't fall far from the tree"
– Mitch
Aug 24 '16 at 17:28
@drew that's why it's a comment, related to this answer, and not an answer itself.
– Mitch
Aug 24 '16 at 18:22
@drew that's why it's a comment, related to this answer, and not an answer itself.
– Mitch
Aug 24 '16 at 18:22
I have corrected the quote and added a citation. Please remember to include your references.
– choster
Aug 24 '16 at 20:06
I have corrected the quote and added a citation. Please remember to include your references.
– choster
Aug 24 '16 at 20:06
add a comment |
"The child is the father of the man" does fit here.
- "Every man was once a child, and his character has developed from his character as a child. In the same way his body has developed from the child's body, so in two ways the child can be called "father of the man"." A. Johnson, Common English Proverbs
answered May 16 '15 at 16:04
CentaurusCentaurus
38.6k31125247
add a comment |
"The child is the father of the man" does fit here.
- "Every man was once a child, and his character has developed from his character as a child. In the same way his body has developed from the child's body, so in two ways the child can be called "father of the man"." A. Johnson, Common English Proverbs
answered May 16 '15 at 16:04
CentaurusCentaurus
38.6k31125247
add a comment |
"The child is the father of the man" does fit here.
- "Every man was once a child, and his character has developed from his character as a child. In the same way his body has developed from the child's body, so in two ways the child can be called "father of the man"." A. Johnson, Common English Proverbs
answered May 16 '15 at 16:04
CentaurusCentaurus
38.6k31125247
"The child is the father of the man" does fit here.
- "Every man was once a child, and his character has developed from his character as a child. In the same way his body has developed from the child's body, so in two ways the child can be called "father of the man"." A. Johnson, Common English Proverbs
answered May 16 '15 at 16:04
CentaurusCentaurus
38.6k31125247
edited May 16 '15 at 16:12
answered May 16 '15 at 16:04
CentaurusCentaurus
38.6k31125247
answered May 16 '15 at 16:04
CentaurusCentaurus
38.6k31125247
answered May 16 '15 at 16:04
CentaurusCentaurus
38.6k31125247
38.6k31125247
add a comment |
add a comment |
"Give me the child at seven and I will show you the man." is an old Jesuit saying.
answered 31 mins ago
Michele ScrimentiMichele Scrimenti
111
New contributor
Michele Scrimenti is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
"Give me the child at seven and I will show you the man." is an old Jesuit saying.
answered 31 mins ago
Michele ScrimentiMichele Scrimenti
111
New contributor
Michele Scrimenti is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
"Give me the child at seven and I will show you the man." is an old Jesuit saying.
answered 31 mins ago
Michele ScrimentiMichele Scrimenti
111
New contributor
Michele Scrimenti is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
"Give me the child at seven and I will show you the man." is an old Jesuit saying.
answered 31 mins ago
Michele ScrimentiMichele Scrimenti
111
New contributor
Michele Scrimenti is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 31 mins ago
Michele ScrimentiMichele Scrimenti
111
New contributor
Michele Scrimenti is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 31 mins ago
Michele ScrimentiMichele Scrimenti
111
answered 31 mins ago
Michele ScrimentiMichele Scrimenti
111
111
New contributor
Michele Scrimenti is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Michele Scrimenti is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Michele Scrimenti is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
add a comment |
Although the vast majority of expressions involving the ability of wine and people (usually women) to improve with age are framed as positive comparisons, which render the opposite of what you are seeking (people/women, like wine, improve with age), I have heard the expression used negatively to contrast these abilities, which comes pretty close to the notion you seek:
People, unlike wine, don’t improve/mature/get better with age.
answered May 17 '15 at 17:47
Papa PoulePapa Poule
9,54121544
add a comment |
Although the vast majority of expressions involving the ability of wine and people (usually women) to improve with age are framed as positive comparisons, which render the opposite of what you are seeking (people/women, like wine, improve with age), I have heard the expression used negatively to contrast these abilities, which comes pretty close to the notion you seek:
People, unlike wine, don’t improve/mature/get better with age.
answered May 17 '15 at 17:47
Papa PoulePapa Poule
9,54121544
add a comment |
Although the vast majority of expressions involving the ability of wine and people (usually women) to improve with age are framed as positive comparisons, which render the opposite of what you are seeking (people/women, like wine, improve with age), I have heard the expression used negatively to contrast these abilities, which comes pretty close to the notion you seek:
People, unlike wine, don’t improve/mature/get better with age.
answered May 17 '15 at 17:47
Papa PoulePapa Poule
9,54121544
Although the vast majority of expressions involving the ability of wine and people (usually women) to improve with age are framed as positive comparisons, which render the opposite of what you are seeking (people/women, like wine, improve with age), I have heard the expression used negatively to contrast these abilities, which comes pretty close to the notion you seek:
People, unlike wine, don’t improve/mature/get better with age.
answered May 17 '15 at 17:47
Papa PoulePapa Poule
9,54121544
answered May 17 '15 at 17:47
Papa PoulePapa Poule
9,54121544
answered May 17 '15 at 17:47
Papa PoulePapa Poule
9,54121544
answered May 17 '15 at 17:47
Papa PoulePapa Poule
9,54121544
9,54121544
add a comment |
add a comment |
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We would have to be thoroughly knowledgeable with what the Chinese means to attempt this, so I am fairly sure this question is beyond the scope of what we can answer here on English Language & Usage.
– Robusto
May 16 '15 at 14:41
4
@Robusto The idiom is explained quite well and adequately in the question, I’d say. If there is an idiom in English that expresses the same notion, that should be answerable enough (though I can’t think of any off the top of my head). Interpreting what Wordsworth meant is arguably off-topic as lit crit, but the other part of the question seems entirely within the scope of ELU to me.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
May 16 '15 at 15:25
3
@JanusBahsJacquet: The primary question here, as expressed by the OP, is about whether Wordsworth's words are the best translation of something that would require expert-level Chinese to render an informed opinion on. I am not prepared to stipulate that the OP has the required expertise. If the OP can edit the question to be more on topic, I'll withdraw my objection. For the record, I did not vote to close.
– Robusto
May 16 '15 at 16:06