Language question - man/woman or male/female - is one about sex and the other gender?

[GruffaIo]

This came up at work. If someone distinguishes between 'man' or 'woman', do you understand that to be a distinction based on sex or gender? Similarly, what if someone distinguishes between 'male' and 'female' - sex or gender? Only the two options (man/woman and male/female) are available so there are no other clues.

I thought one thing and was told another, so thought I would check with those more knowledgeable than me!

I don't distinguish between the two. A man is an adult male, regardless of how masculine he feels. I think the distinction here is between man/male (same) and masculinity (a construct, which sits with 'gender').

Sometimes, to be polite when talking about this issue, if other people use the word 'woman' to mean a gender identity, I will say 'female' to be very very clear that I mean the biological category of people whose bodies are designed to make the big gametes, but I don't truly see it in that way.

Mare, filly, stallion, colt.
Woman, girl, man, boy.

The examples above are both "adult female, juvenile female, adult male, juvenile male". The words are sexed.

So why are the words different between line 1 on line 2? Because the words also indicate what species I am talking about - horses and humans.

So to answer your question "man/woman or male/female - is one about sex and the other gender?" I woulds say no, they are both about sex. It's just that when you use man/woman you're being specific that you're talking about humans, whereas male/female you're not.

I'd say they're both about sex, and masculine/feminine are associated with gender.

@RoseslnTheHospital

Man/Woman is sex, for adult humans Male/Female is sex, for any living sexed thing Masculine/Feminine is gender

This

@RoseslnTheHospital

Man/Woman is sex, for adult humans Male/Female is sex, for any living sexed thing Masculine/Feminine is gender

This.