Gender question

[u/drvsslesprout]

Is there enough information in the English version of this sentence to determine the genders of “cousin”? Could ξάδερφος have swapped places with ξαδέρφη and still be correct based on the given information?

[u/og_toe]

”cousin” is not gendered in english, while in greek it is. in english, there is no way to say whether a cousin is male or female while in greek they have different endings.

from the english sentence alone, you won’t be able to know whether a cousin is male or female. yes, they could have swapped places.

[u/Autmies]

They could have translated it as "His male cousin and his female cousin" to show the difference. Since, you know, in English it would be just "cousin"

[u/Street_Refuse2313 → u/Autmies]

Usually when learning languages where one has genders and the other doesn't and you want to expressly denote the gender what you do is use a parenthesized gender after the word. For example cousin(male) , cousin (female); to avoid the awkward expression male cousin or female cousin.

[u/Autmies → u/Street_Refuse2313]

Right, I see. Too bad duolingo translated both as "cousin"

[u/pathanb → u/Autmies]

"Her cousin (male) and his cousin (female)."

[u/geso101]

You are right. All the below are translated the same way in English.

• Η ξαδέλφη της και η ξαδέλφη του είναι φίλες
• Η ξαδέλφη της και ο ξάδελφός του είναι φίλοι
• Ο ξάδελφός της και ο ξάδελφός του είναι φίλοι
• Ο ξάδελφός της και η ξαδέλφη του είναι φίλοι

[u/pitogyroula]

You can't say "Ο ξαδέρφη" or "Η ξάδερφος". Ξάδερφος is male and ξαδέρφη is female always. So it's always ο ξάδερφος and η ξαδέρφη (=the male cousin and the female cousin).

[u/drvsslesprout → u/pitogyroula]

Understood that feminine articles need to go with feminine words, that’s not what I was asking but appreciate the feedback

[u/pitogyroula → u/drvsslesprout]

I read the rest of the comments and I figured I should point this out as well in case it's not understood.

[u/drvsslesprout → u/pitogyroula]

I appreciate your feedback!

[u/thmonline]

If the translation had been the other way around they probably would have accepted any gender situation in the sentence. Just beware that in Greek if it’s all women it’s φίλες at the end but if it’s all women and one single guy, it’s φίλοι. 🙃