[ti:Kinds and Types]
[al:Ask a Teacher]
[ar:VOA]
[dt:2024-12-21]
[by:www.voase.cn]
[00:00.00]Hello! This week on Ask a Teacher, we answer a question from Ann in Vietnam about four words that help describe what group something belongs to.
[00:15.93]Dear Teacher,
[00:18.12]What are [the] differences among species, kinds, types, and genres? Which case [is] each word used for? Thank you,
[00:32.66]Ann
[00:33.99]I'm happy to answer this question, Ann.
[00:37.92]We can use each of the words you ask about to describe what category something belongs in.
[00:47.44]A category is a group of things that share similar qualities.
[00:53.35]For example, apples, bananas, and oranges all belong in the same category, which is fruit.
[01:03.22]The words "kind" and "type" are synonyms. 
[01:09.18]That means they each share the same meaning.
[01:14.20]And they have the most general meaning of the four words you ask about.
[01:20.76]A "kind" or a "type" is a group that shares things in common. For example:
[01:28.27]Electric cars are one kind of car, while gasoline-powered cars are another type (or kind) of car.
[01:38.18]Notice that we commonly put the preposition "of" after the words "kind" or "type."
[01:47.08]The phrases "a kind of" and "a type of" are both very common in spoken English.
[01:57.24]We use the phrase "a kind of" more often than we use the phrase "a type of."
[02:06.46]The two words "species" and "genre" are more specific than the two words "kind" and "type."
[02:17.31]We use the word "species" to categorize living things. 
[02:23.75]For example:
[02:25.48]Elephants, cats, dogs, and mice are different species of animals.
[02:33.40]Roses and lilies are different species of flowers.
[02:37.76]Each species has a Latin scientific name. 
[02:42.75]For example, the name of the species for human beings is Homo sapiens.
[02:51.63]The word "genre" comes from the Latin word "genus," which means "group." 
[02:59.64]We use "genre" to categorize styles of creative works. For example, music has many genres, such as rock, hip-hop, classical, and jazz. 
[03:16.45]Genres of painting include Impressionism and Cubism.
[03:23.34]Likewise, film, dance, photography, literature, and theater each have their own genres.
[03:34.63]The word "genre" is more formal than "kind of."
[03:40.83]So, in everyday discussions, we might ask someone:
[03:46.73]What kind of movies do you like?
[03:49.39]However, in writing or more formal discussions, we might use the word "genre."
[03:58.09]For our readers and listeners, what are your favorite genres of creative works? 
[04:06.45]And what are your questions about American English?
[04:11.57]We want to hear from you! 
[04:13.64]Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com. 
[04:20.54]And please let us know where you are from, too.
[04:25.78]And that's Ask a Teacher.
[04:28.76]I'm Andrew Smith.