起源(きげん)

きげん
noun
origin; beginning; genesis
time-generalabstract
See also: 紀元(きげん) (era, epoch)
1. origin; beginning; genesis; source
The point at which something began or first came into existence. Used for the origins of words, customs, species, civilizations, and phenomena.
言葉(ことば)の起源(きげん)を調(しら)べる。
Look up the origin of a word.
オリンピックの起源(きげん)は古代(こだい)ギリシャにある。
The Olympics have their origins in ancient Greece.
生命(せいめい)の起源(きげん)についてはさまざまな学説(がくせつ)があるが、まだ完全(かんぜん)には解明(かいめい)されていない。
There are various theories about the origin of life, but it has not yet been fully explained.

Usage

Used for the historical or primordial beginning of something. The pattern 〜の起源(きげん) (the origin of ~) is extremely common. Appears frequently in academic, scientific, and cultural contexts.

Note: Not to be confused with the homophones 期限(きげん) (deadline, time limit), 機嫌(きげん) (mood, temper), or 紀元(きげん) (era, epoch).

Common collocations

Related Words

Compare: 根源(こんげん) (root)
general
Added 2026.3.17 19:34 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
17000/17394_kigen