Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| происхожде́ние | proisxoždénije | neuter | |
| возникнове́ние | vozniknovénije | neuter | |
| генезис | genɛ́zis | [ˈɡʲenɨzʲɪs] (narrow) | masculine |
In Russian, these terms describe the origin or start of something. Use происхожде́ние to discuss the descent or ancestry of people and families, or the source of a phenomenon. Use возникнове́ние to describe the sudden emergence, onset or outbreak of something like a problem or a new state. When discussing the developmental process of a concept in an academic or scientific sense, use генезис.
Which one should you use?
The choice between these words depends on what kind of origin you are describing. происхожде́ние is the neutral choice for talking about origin, descent or ancestry. возникнове́ние is the neutral choice for the emergence, outbreak or onset of something. генезис is used specifically for the developmental process of a concept.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
генезис is a literary and high-register term used primarily in scientific, philosophical or theological contexts. The other two terms, происхожде́ние and возникнове́ние, are neutral and suitable for general use.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
genɛ́zis
What mistakes should you avoid?
When you want to refer specifically to the first book of the Bible, do not use генезис. Instead, use the religious terms Кни́га Бытия́, Бытие́ or пе́рвая кни́га Моисе́я.
Did you know?
- The word происхожде́ние shares a root with the verb ходить, meaning 'to walk'. It literally suggests the path a thing 'walked' to get to its current state.
- While генезис describes a developmental process, the word Бытие used for the biblical 'Genesis' actually translates literally as 'existence' or 'being'.
- The word генезис was borrowed into Russian via Latin from the Ancient Greek γένεσις.
Examples in context
- Учёный изучал генезис звёзд в этой галактике.Uchyoniy izuchal genezis zviozd v etoy galaktike.The scientist studied the genesis of stars in this galaxy.
- Генезис этой идеи был очень стремительным.Genezis etoy idei byl ochen' stremitel'nym.The genesis of this idea was very rapid.
- Мы обсуждали генезис человеческой цивилизации.My obsuzhdali genezis chelovecheskoy tsivilizatsii.We discussed the genesis of human civilization.
Example conversation
Andrey and Ekaterina are discussing a philosophy textbook.
- Андрей AndreyКатя, ты прочитала главу про генезис Вселенной?Katya, ty prochitala glavu pro genesis Vselennoy?Katya, did you read the chapter on the genesis of the Universe?
- Екатерина EkaterinaДа, Андрей, это было очень захватывающе.Da, Andrey, eto bylo ochen zakhvatyvayushche.Yes, Andrey, it was very exciting.
- Андрей AndreyМеня поразило описание самого начала всего.Menya porazila opisaniye samogo nachala vsego.I was struck by the description of the very beginning of everything.
- Екатерина EkaterinaСогласна, генезис мира сложная тема.Soglasna, genesis mira slozhnaya tema.I agree, the genesis of the world is a complex topic.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “genesis” translations and entries генезис, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries генезис, CC BY-SA 4.0.
