What does “You can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family” mean?
"You can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family" means you have the ability to choose who you want to be friends with, but you don't have the ability to choose who your family members are.
What context can I use the in?
Example
I may not get along with my siblings, but hey, you can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family.
Example
I'm so grateful for my best friend, they're like family to me. It's true what they say, you can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family.
Example
Sometimes I wish I could trade in my family for a new one, but I guess you can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family
Is “You can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“You can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “You can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family” effectively in context?
You can use "You can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family" to emphasize the difference between the relationships we have with our friends and our family members. It highlights the idea that while we have the freedom to select our friends based on shared interests and values, we are born into a family and have to accept and navigate the dynamics that come with it. For example, if someone is complaining about their difficult relationship with a family member, you might say, 'Well, you know what they say, "you can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family".'
- 1Family Relationships
Even though they have different personalities, they still love each other because, as they say, 'you can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family'.
- 2Friendships
She decided to distance herself from toxic friends and focus on building healthy relationships because, as she realized, 'you can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family'.
- 3Acceptance
He struggled with accepting his family's quirks and differences, but he eventually learned that 'you can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family'.
Similar phrases to “You can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family”:
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “You can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family” come from?
The origin of the phrase "You can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family" is unknown.
Is “You can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family” common in everyday conversation?
Yes, "You can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family" is a common proverb that is often used in everyday conversation. It is a relatable saying that many people use to express the idea that we have more control over our friendships than our family relationships.
What tone does “You can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family” have?
"You can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family" conveys a tone of acceptance and resignation. It acknowledges the reality that we cannot change or choose our family members, but we can choose who we surround ourselves with as friends.
Can “You can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family” be used in informal and formal settings?
This proverb is commonly used in both informal and formal settings. It is a well-known saying that can be used in various contexts, such as casual conversations with friends or more formal discussions about relationships and personal choices.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'I may not always get along with my siblings, but as they say, "you can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family".' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Well, "you can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family".' to imply acceptance of a situation.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- friends are chosen, family is given
- you can't pick your family, but you can pick your friends
- friends are the family we choose
- family is not determined by blood, but by love
- you can't choose your relatives, but you can choose your friends
Antonyms
- you can choose your family, but you can't choose your friends
- family is chosen, friends are given
- you can choose your family and your friends
