西方语言中，名词不仅要讲究单复数，还得分清阴阳性。法语西班牙语里，人、动物、以及不具自然性的物，都得在语法上分出"公母"，德文里除了阴阳外，还有中性。这名词语法的性，虽只是一种名词的分类，对词汇的记忆却是个考验。它不仅是我们学习外文时的一个语法难点，有时这种人为约定还违反自然属性，比如德文中小姐一词是中性，好好的小姐如花似玉，德文愣要你把她不当女人看。这一是对女性的不尊重，二是残酷地强迫男人练柳下惠的功夫。
在法文西班牙文里，一般来讲，名词的结尾会指示出该名词的性，如气象学中的厄尔尼诺一词来自西班牙语的(el) niño，el = the, niño = boy, 是"(那个)男孩"的意思。把"男孩"词尾"-o"换成"-a"，我们就有了niña, 即"女孩"一词 (la niña是另一个气象学术语)。这种以词尾来分辨名词的性别，对记忆来说较为容易。但我们学的英文却不让人这么省心，多数情况下，我们需要记住两个毫不相干的词来表达动物的公母，人类的男女。
我们今天说人类的男女，下回讲动物的公母。
先从简单的开始:
男人= man, 女人 = woman;
男孩 = boy, 女孩 = girl;
丈夫 = husband，妻子 = wife;
爹 = father，娘 = mother;
叔/伯/舅 = uncle，姑/姨 = aunt.
难一点的有:
"和尚" = monk，"尼姑" = nun;
新郎 = bridegroom，新娘 = bride;
寡妇 = widow，鳏夫 = widower;
巫婆 = witch，巫师 = warlock;
老光棍 = bachelor，老处女呢?
在这儿卖个关子，请你先读下面一段英文(ZT)，相信读完后，你定会记住英文的"老处女"一词。
A man was brought to Mercy Hospital, and taken quickly in for coronary surgery. The operation went well and, as the groggy man regained consciousness, he was reassured by a Sister of Mercy (nurse at this church hospital), who was waiting by his bed.
"Mr. Smith, you're going to be just fine," said the nun, gently patting his hand. "We do need to know, however, how you intend to pay for your stay here. Are you covered by insurance?"
"No, I'm not," the man whispered hoarsely.
"Can you pay in cash?" persisted the nun.
"I'm afraid I cannot, Sister."
"Well, do you have any close relatives?" the nun essayed.
"Just my sister in New Mexico," he volunteered. "But she's a humble spinster nun."
"Oh, I must correct you, Mr. Smith. Nuns are not 'spinsters;' they are married to God."
"Wonderful," said Smith. "In that case, please send the bill to my brother-in-law."
现在，由你来完成这个填空: 老处女 = _________?
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