転換点(てんかんてん)

Composed of 転換(てんかん) (conversion, shift) + 点(てん) (point). Used for significant, often decisive moments when the direction of events changes.

Common patterns

• 人生(じんせい)の転換点(てんかんてん): turning point in life
• 歴史(れきし)の転換点(てんかんてん): turning point in history
• 転換点(てんかんてん)を迎(むか)える: to reach a turning point
• 大(おお)きな転換点(てんかんてん): a major turning point

Similar words

• 転機(てんき): turning point (more personal; career, life decisions)
• 分岐点(ぶんきてん): branching point, fork in the road

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Slightly formal. Common in news, essays, and speeches. In casual speech, 転機(てんき) is more natural for personal turning points.