Yes, you can use "guys" for a girl or a group including girls in informal English, especially in places like the US West Coast or UK, as it's often considered a gender-neutral plural for mixed groups, but some find it masculine or prefer "folks," "everyone," or "y'all," so context and audience matter to avoid offense. Using "the guys" can sound more masculine/exclusive, while "guys" (as in "Hey, guys!") is often seen as inclusive, though some prefer "ladies," "gals," or "you all" for women.
If you want the known answer, it's yes, "guy" can be gender neutral in English.
“Guys” is gender neutral in most of the English speaking world except for some parts of the USA, where it is considered exclusively masculine. Edit: here is a photo that describes where it is used or not: https://cdn.mapmania.org/original/how_americans_address_a_gr...
“Should I call him?” And the honest answer is… it depends. If you're interested and you think he is too, the answer to “Should I call him first?” is absolutely yes. He might be shy or wondering if his interest is reciprocated. Even if he isn't, some guys love it when women are confident enough to make the first move.
The findings suggest that the perceived acceptability of "girls" and "boys" to refer to adult women and men depends on the context in which the terms are used. "Guys" is more widely accepted when used by men to refer to a group of men, but its usage becomes more uncertain when referring to mixed or all-women groups.
"Guy" is used to refer to a male person and "you guys" is used in a casual, gender-neutral way. This means that men or women can address other men or women by saying"you guys". It is of course informal.
"You guys" is the gender-neutral second-person plural pronoun in many English dialects, especially the western US and Canada. It's equivalent to "you all," "y'all," "youse," "you lot," etc.
Things You Should Know
Give him a call if you're waiting for someone to make the first move, or after a good date that left you wanting more. Call him if you think he's shy or too timid to reach out, or if you have something in mind that you want to say, like a casual question.
There is nothing wrong with messaging a guy first, either as an initial opener or over the course of your relationship.
Guy (/ɡaɪ/ ghy, French: [ɡi]) is a masculine given name derived from an abbreviated version of a Germanic name that began either with witu, meaning wood, or wit, meaning wide.
"Girl slang" refers to informal, trendy words and phrases used by young women, often evolving quickly online, with recent examples including "baddie" (confident/attractive), "ate" (did something exceptionally well), "rizz" (charisma/flirting skill), "main character energy" (acting like the lead in a story), "girl math/dinner" (humorous/relatable ways to justify spending/eating), "delulu" (delusional), and "lowkey/highkey" (secretly/obviously), alongside general terms like "aesthetic," "vibe," "slay," "tea" (gossip), and "snatched" (looking good).
Using traditionally male names for girls is a growing trend, popularized by celebrities like Blake Lively. Boy names for girls can offer uniqueness, gender flexibility and modern appeal while often carrying strong or meaningful origins.
The origins of guy remain somewhat obscure, but the word appears to have developed from the French name Guy, particularly in association with Guy Fawkes, the leader of the failed Gunpowder Plot against the English Parliament (5 Nov. 1605).
Guy is masculine, where as Gal is feminine. Gal is not used often, but that is the equivalent to the term Guy.
He/him/his (for someone who might identify as male) She/her/hers (for someone who might identify as female) They/them/their (for someone who might not identify as male or female, these pronouns are 'gender neutral'; they are also used when referring to multiple people).
Nicknames for the Guy You're Casual With
The "3-3-3 Rule" in relationships, popularized on TikTok, offers a timeline for new connections: 3 dates to check for basic attraction/chemistry, 3 weeks to assess consistent communication and effort, and 3 months to decide if the relationship has potential for commitment or if you should part ways amicably, preventing getting stuck in a "situationship". It's a framework for slowing down, gathering information, and avoiding rushing into serious decisions too early, though it's a guideline, not a rigid law.
So yes, you can or even should call him first.
There is really nothing wrong with you doing it! Many guys will feel flattered or relieved when you take the pressure off of them. And if a man ends up judging you for it, then maybe he's just too insecure and not a good match anyway.
Is guys gender-neutral? For years, the term guys and expressions like you guys have been commonly employed to address groups regardless of the gender of the group's members, including by women addressing other women.
The Seven Types of Pronouns
The phrase "I love you guys" is correct and usable in written English. It can be used in informal contexts to express affection or appreciation towards a group of people. Example: "After all the hard work we put into this project, I just want to say that I love you guys for your dedication and teamwork."
Effeminacy or male femininity is the embodiment of feminine traits in boys or men, particularly those considered untypical of men or masculinity. These traits include roles, stereotypes, behaviors, and appearances that are socially associated with girls and women.
Guys is Not Gender Neutral
It originates from the word "guy," which is singular and means a man.
Lighthearted and fun, Guy is a masculine name that has German roots.