سفر التكوين
sifr al-takwīn
The English phrase 'genesis' translates to Arabic as سفر التكوين (sifr al-takwīn).
The phrase is used to refer to the first book of the Bible. In a broader sense, it relates to the origin or the point at which something comes into being.
Meaning: the origin, start, or point at which something comes into being (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The component التكوين refers to 'the formation' or 'the creation', derived from a root meaning 'to form', 'to create' or 'to compose'.
Which one should you use?
While التكوين can mean 'formation' in a general sense, the full phrase سفر التكوين specifically refers to the biblical book of Genesis. Another variant, سفر الخليقة, which means 'Book of Creation', is sometimes used to refer to Genesis to emphasize the aspect of creation.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
sifr al-takwīn
Did you know?
- While سفر means 'book' in the context of the Bible, the same word in common Arabic refers to 'travel' or 'journey'.
- The term سفر is used almost exclusively for religious scriptures, whereas the common Arabic word for 'book' is كتاب.
- The word سفر used for 'book' in this context is a direct loan from Aramaic and Biblical Hebrew, rather than being a native Arabic root.
Example conversation
Omar and Layla are discussing a religious text in a library.
- عمر Omarيا ليلى، هل انتهيت من قراءة سفر التكوين؟Ya Layla, hal intahayti min qira'at sifr at-takwin?Layla, have you finished reading the Book of Genesis?
- ليلى Laylaنعم يا عمر، لقد أنهيته بالأمس.Na'am ya Omar, laqad anhaytuhu al-ams.Yes Omar, I finished it yesterday.
- عمر Omarما هو أكثر جزء أعجبك في سفر التكوين؟Ma huwa akthar juz' a'jabaki fi sifr at-takwin?What part did you like most in the Book of Genesis?
- ليلى Laylaأعجبتني قصة الخلق في البداية.A'jabatni qissat al-khalq fi al-bidaya.I liked the story of creation at the beginning.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries سفر, CC BY-SA 4.0.
