The interaction between genistein and β-glucosidase was studied using fluorescence quenching method and synchronous fluorimetry.  The binding reaction was simultaneously studied by the AutoDock 4.2 molecular docking model.  Data from fluorescence spectroscopy indicated that these interactions resulted in the endogenous fluorescence quenching of β-glucosidase, which belongs to a static quenching mechanism.  The calculated binding constants were 3.69 × 10⁴, 3.06 × 10⁴ and 2.36 × 10⁴ L·mol⁻¹ at 17, 27 and 37 ℃, respectively.  The evidences from synchronous fluorescence showed the effect of genistein on the microenvironment around β-glucosidase in aqueous solution.  The inhibition test showed that the activity of β-glucosidase could be inhibited by genistein.  The determined bimolecular rate constant (k_i) was 1.2 × 10³ (mol·L⁻¹)⁻¹·min⁻¹.  Molecular docking was performed to reveal the possible binding mode or mechanism and suggested that genistein could bind strongly to β-glucosidase.  The results revealed that genistein tended to bind with β-glucosidase mainly by hydrogen bond and hydrophobic interaction as well as electrostatic forces.