masculine

Everyday

1. Having qualities that people traditionally think of as typical of men or boys, such as a deep voice. tree →
2. Belonging to or suitable for men. tree →
3. (grammar) In languages like French, Spanish, German or Ukrainian, describing nouns and words of a class called «masculine»; in English, words like «he», «king», «actor» are masculine forms. tree →

In the lessons

Used in English and language lessons: in French «le livre» is masculine, «la table» feminine; in English, pairs like king/queen, prince/princess, actor/actress. In everyday talk «masculine» describes styles and qualities, but ideas of what is masculine change between cultures and times; boys and girls can like any colour or hobby. Opposite: «feminine». Phrases: «masculine noun», «masculine form».

Examples

• In French, «le soleil» is a masculine noun. tree →
• «Prince» is the masculine form of «princess». tree →
• His voice became deeper and more masculine as he grew up. tree →
• The room was decorated in a masculine style with dark wood. tree →
• In Spanish, most masculine nouns end in -o. tree →
• Some people think pink isn't masculine, but anyone can wear pink. tree →
• «He» and «him» are masculine pronouns. tree →

Note

Opposite: «feminine». Neutral: «neuter» (grammar). Grammatical gender is not about real men or women: in German the word for a girl («Mädchen») is neuter. Careful with stereotypes: what counts as masculine is partly custom, not fact.

In Jewish tradition

In Sefer Yetzirah it means the male side of things. The three mother letters give rise to three "masculine" powers from which everything comes.

Interpretation. Tradition links the male and female pairs in creation to the way the letters combine, as if all the world were formed from the balance of two forces.

Examples

• At first existed these three mothers, and there arose three masculine powers, and hence all things have originated. (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1887) tree →

Note

Opposite: «feminine». Neutral: «neuter» (grammar). Grammatical gender is not about real men or women: in German the word for a girl («Mädchen») is neuter. Careful with stereotypes: what counts as masculine is partly custom, not fact.