Phrase guide

as the twig is bent, so is the tree inclined

proverb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

proverb

Meaning 1

A person's formative experiences in youth influence their character during adulthood.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From the Epistles to Several Persons (1732): "'Tis education forms the common mind, Just as the twig is bent the tree's inclined."

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 少成若天性 — a person's formative experiences influence their adult character
  • Czech: ohýbej proutek dokud je mladý — a person's formative experiences influence their adult character
  • Dutch: jong geleerd is oud gedaan — a person's formative experiences influence their adult character
  • Finnish: nuorena vitsa väännettävä — a person's formative experiences influence their adult character
  • Polish: czym skorupka za młodu nasiąknie, tym na starość trąci — a person's formative experiences influence their adult character
  • Portuguese: é de menino que se torce o pepino — a person's formative experiences influence their adult character