Translation guide
This English proverb expresses that a son resembles his father in character or behavior. In Japanese, the idea is conveyed through set phrases, idiomatic expressions, or descriptive statements rather than a single direct equivalent.
To express the idea that a son takes after his father, often in a proverbial or idiomatic way.
Literally 'the child of a frog is a frog.' A common proverb meaning children resemble their parents, often used for both positive and negative traits. It implies that like breeds like.
彼も医者になったんだって？蛙の子は蛙だね。
I heard he became a doctor too? Like father, like son.
Literally 'with such a parent, there is such a child.' Used to remark that a child's behavior reflects their upbringing, similar to 'like father, like son.'
彼の息子も同じように礼儀正しい。この親にしてこの子ありだ。
His son is just as polite. Like father, like son.
Literally 'you can't dispute blood.' Means that inherited traits inevitably show, often used when a child displays a parent's characteristics.
彼も音楽が好きなんだ。血は争えないね。
He loves music too. Like father, like son, I guess.
To simply state that a son resembles his father in some way, without using a proverb.
Means 'the son is just like his father.' A straightforward way to express resemblance in appearance or personality.
彼の息子は父親にそっくりだ。
His son is just like his father.
Means 'the son takes after his father.' Commonly used for physical resemblance but can also refer to personality.
あの子は父親似で、頑固なところがそっくりだ。
That kid takes after his father; his stubbornness is exactly the same.
Both are proverbs meaning children resemble parents. 蛙の子は蛙 is more neutral and widely used, while この親にしてこの子あり often carries a nuance of 'no surprise given the parent,' and can be used for both positive and negative traits.
The English phrase specifically mentions 'father' and 'son,' but Japanese proverbs like 蛙の子は蛙 are gender-neutral and can apply to any parent-child relationship. If you need to specify gender, use descriptive phrases like 父親似だ (takes after father) or 母親似だ (takes after mother).