gen
nounCEFR B2
What does “gen” mean in English?
gene — a unit of hereditary information encoded in DNA
gene — a unit of hereditary information encoded in DNA (gen responsable de; edición génica)
Example sentences
Los investigadores identificaron el gen responsable de una forma hereditaria de la enfermedad.
The researchers identified the gene responsible for a hereditary form of the disease.
La edición génica mediante CRISPR ha abierto posibilidades terapéuticas antes inimaginables.
Gene editing via CRISPR has opened therapeutic possibilities previously unimaginable.
Heredar ciertos genes aumenta la probabilidad de desarrollar algunas enfermedades, aunque el entorno también influye.
Inheriting certain genes raises the probability of developing some illnesses, though environment also plays a role.
How to use it
El gen (noun, masculine; plural: los genes) means 'gene' — a unit of hereditary information. Core B2 collocations: el gen responsable de; edición génica (gene editing); gen dominante/recesivo; ingeniería genética. The adjective genético is more frequent than the noun at B2. Distinguish from ADN (DNA, the molecule) and cromosoma (chromosome, the structure). El gen BRCA1/BRCA2 — named genes are treated as masculine.
Common mistake
El gen is masculine despite ending in a consonant — do not say *la gen. The plural los genes follows normal pattern. Do not confuse gen (gene) with género (gender/genre) — false-friend risk for speakers who know French gène. 'Genetic' as adjective = genético, not *génico (génico is technical).