原点(げんてん)

げんてん
noun
origin, starting point
See also: 減点(げんてん) (deducting points)
1. origin, starting point, foundation
The fundamental starting point or basis of something. Used figuratively to refer to the core principles or beginnings that define a person, project, or idea. Also used in mathematics and coordinates to mean the origin point (0,0).
原点(げんてん)に立(た)ち返(かえ)る。
To go back to the starting point.
失敗(しっぱい)したときは原点(げんてん)に戻(もど)って考(かんが)え直(なお)すべきだ。
When you fail, you should return to the basics and reconsider.
この場所(ばしょ)が彼(かれ)の音楽家(おんがくか)としての原点(げんてん)だと言(い)われている。
This place is said to be his starting point as a musician.

Often used metaphorically to express the idea of returning to fundamentals or rediscovering one's roots. The phrase 原点(げんてん)に立(た)ち返(かえ)る or 原点(げんてん)に戻(もど)る (to return to the origin) is extremely common.

Not to be confused with 減点(げんてん) (deduction of points), which is a homophone with a completely different meaning.

Common collocations

general
Added 2026.2.18 21:23 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
11500/11828_genten