"Gender" is of ( English ) origins, and is typically used when referring the sexes. Ex: "I'm not sure what gender they will be, maybe male?" Genre" is of French origins, and is connected to the word "type" it is used most commonly when listing categories, or topics. Like we refer to 'Nonfiction, fiction, Biography' as "Genres" And in film 'Horror, Comedy, Romance' as "Genre." Ex: The movie could be scary, since the genre is horror."