genus
[ˈɡɛ.nʊs]neuter
The English phrase "gender" can be translated into Latin as genus or sexus.
Meaning: biological sex (noun)
Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| genus | [ˈɡɛ.nʊs] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈd͡ʒɛː.nus] (narrow) |
neuter |
| sexus | [ˈsɛk.sʊs] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈsɛk.sus] (narrow) |
masculine |
In Latin, words for gender or sex vary depending on whether you are discussing a classification or a biological reality.
Which one should you use?
genus is a broader term that refers to a kind, type or class within a classification system. In contrast, sexus is the more specific term used for biological sex.
How does it change in a sentence?
The genitive singular form of genus is generis, which serves as the root for many English words such as "genre" or "general".
Did you know?
- The term sexus and the verb secō ('I cut') are potentially linked through the idea of dividing a whole into distinct parts.
- While sexus describes a biological state, genus can describe the 'gender' of a word in a grammatical sense. This distinguishes the physical body from the structural category.
Examples in context
- Genus infantis non scio.I do not know the gender of the infant.
Example conversation
Lucia and Quintus are discussing a nature specimen.
- LuciaVide hoc animal, Quinte.Look at this animal, Quintus.
- QuintusGenus eius quid est?What is its gender?
- LuciaGenus non video.I cannot see the gender.
- QuintusTunc nos iterum probemus.Then let us check again.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “gender” translations and entries genus, sexus, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries genus, sexus, CC BY-SA 4.0.
