genre
/ʒɑ̃ʁ/
In French, gender is translated as genre.
The word genre is used to refer to gender identity and social constructs. To speak more specifically about someone's self-perceived gender, you can use the phrase identité de genre.
Meaning: biological sex (noun)
Which one should you use?
While genre refers to gender identity and social constructs, sexe is the standard term for biological sex. In medical or biological contexts, sexe is also sometimes used to describe gender.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
In French grammar, le genre refers to whether a noun is masculine or feminine. The related verb genrer means to perceive or address as a specific gender.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʒɑ̃ʁ/
Did you know?
- To avoid assigning a gender to a person, some French speakers use iel, a non-binary pronoun created by blending il (he) and elle (she).
- In casual spoken French, genre is frequently used as a filler word similar to the English 'like', as in C'était genre… bizarre, meaning 'It was like… weird'.
- The French Academy, the official guardian of the language, has historically resisted the official inclusion of gender-neutral terms like iel in the dictionary.
Examples in context
- Skura est une activiste de genre.Skura is a gender activist.This sentence shows how to use genre in the context of an activist.Tatoeba #11958793 by Amastan, translation #10078475 by Amastan
- Plusieurs personnes transgenres ressentent de la dysphorie de genre.Many transgender people experience gender dysphoria.This sentence demonstrates the use of genre when discussing gender dysphoria.Tatoeba #5790329 by Knabacxo, translation #5589616 by zumley
- Quel que soit le genre de cette personne, c'est une féministe.Regardless of that person’s gender, they are a feminist.This sentence illustrates how to use genre when referring to a person's gender.Tatoeba #8189956 by Rovo, translation #8190528 by bpeel
- Le genre ou le sexe influence notre perception du mondeGender or sex influences our perception of the world
- L'identité de genre est une composante essentielle de l'individuGender identity is an essential component of an individual
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Gabriel are discussing a sociology project.
- ChloéJe dois étudier le genre dans cette société.I have to study gender in this society.
- GabrielC'est un sujet très intéressant, Chloé.That is a very interesting subject, Chloé.
- ChloéLe genre influence beaucoup les attentes sociales.Gender greatly influences social expectations.
- GabrielJe suis d'accord avec toi.I agree with you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry genre, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
