How to Say "Gender Roles" in French

rôles de genre

The English phrase "gender roles" is translated into French as rôles de genre.

This phrase refers to the social expectations and behaviors typically considered appropriate for people based on their biological sex.

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase is composed of rôles (roles) and de genre (of gender).

The plural form requires the definite article les and the plural rôles.

In casual spoken French, the word genre is frequently used as a filler word similar to 'like' in English, such as saying c'est genre… to hesitate.
To discuss the breaking of rôles de genre, French speakers often use the term déconstruction, a word heavily influenced by the French philosopher Jacques Derrida.
The term 'gender' in 'rôles de genre' is actually a semantic loan from English, meaning the specific modern sociological usage was adopted from English into French.

Les rôles de genre sont une réalité complexe et évolutive.
Gender roles are a complex and evolving reality.
On discute souvent des rôles de genre à l'école.
We often discuss gender roles at school.
Les rôles de genre évoluent dans la société moderne.
Gender roles are evolving in modern society.
Elle remet en question les rôles de genre traditionnels.
She is questioning traditional gender roles.

Emma and Hugo are discussing a sociology documentary.

Emma

Ce documentaire sur les rôles de genre est fascinant.
This documentary about gender roles is fascinating.
Hugo

C'est vrai, Emma, cela donne beaucoup à réfléchir.
It's true, Emma, it gives a lot to think about.
Emma

Penses-tu que les rôles de genre sont encore rigides ?
Do you think gender roles are still rigid?
Hugo

Pas vraiment, les choses changent pour les hommes et les femmes.
Not really, things are changing for men and women.

Sources

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