genes

HEH-ness

genes?biological units of heredity

Also:DNA building blocks?informal explanation of heredity

📝 In Action

Mis genes determinan el color de mis ojos.

My genes determine the color of my eyes.

Ella dice que tiene buenos genes porque nunca se enferma.

She says she has good genes because she never gets sick.

Los científicos estudian cómo funcionan los genes.

Scientists study how genes work.

This word is the plural form of 'gen'. In Spanish, when a word ends in a consonant like 'n', we add '-es' to make it plural.

Since this word is masculine and plural, you should use 'los' (the) or 'estos' (these) with it.

Mistake: "Using 'genes' when you mean 'people'."

Correction: Use 'gente' for people and 'genes' only for DNA/biology. They look similar but are totally different!

In Spanish, the 'G' in 'genes' sounds like a raspy 'H' (as in 'house'), not like the 'G' in the English word 'genes'.

Question 1 of 2

Which word is the singular form of 'genes'?

gen(gene (singular)) - noun

genética(genetics) - noun

genético(genetic) - adjective

Is 'genes' pronounced the same as in English?

No! In English, it starts with a 'J' sound. In Spanish, the 'G' sounds like a breathy, raspy 'H'.

Is 'genes' masculine or feminine?

It is masculine. You would say 'los genes' or 'unos genes'.