有其父必有其子

yǒuqífùbìyǒuqízǐ

idiom

Meanings

1 like father, like son
2 the son resembles the father

Characters

this; that (literary)

must; necessarily

this; that (literary)

Examples

他爸爸是医生，他也学医，真是有其父必有其子。

Tā bàba shì yīshēng, tā yě xué yī, zhēn shì yǒu qí fù bì yǒu qí zǐ.

His dad is a doctor and he's also studying medicine — like father, like son.

这父子俩脾气一样火爆，有其父必有其子。

Zhè fùzǐ liǎ píqì yíyàng huǒbào, yǒu qí fù bì yǒu qí zǐ.

These two have the same fiery temper — like father, like son.

Tips

history

Recorded in 《孔丛子·居卫》 (Kǒngcóngzǐ — Jūwèi): '有此父斯有此子，人道之常也' — 'such a father naturally produces such a son, this is the constant way of human nature.' Used both approvingly (inheriting virtues) and critically (inheriting flaws).

Stroke Order

有 yǒu

其 qí

父 fù

必 bì

子 zǐ