接点(せってん)

せってん
noun
point of contact, connection; contact point
abstract
1. point of contact, connection, common ground
A point where two things meet or connect, often used figuratively for a shared interest, relationship, or link between people, groups, or ideas.
二人(ふたり)には接点(せってん)がない。
The two have no connection.
容疑者(ようぎしゃ)と被害者(ひがいしゃ)の接点(せってん)を調(しら)べている。
They are investigating the connection between the suspect and the victim.
異(こと)なる分野(ぶんや)の研究者(けんきゅうしゃ)が接点(せってん)を見(み)つけることで新(あたら)しい発見(はっけん)が生(う)まれる。
When researchers from different fields find common ground, new discoveries are born.
2. contact point, electrical contact
A physical point where two things touch, especially an electrical contact point in a circuit or device.
スイッチの接点(せってん)が劣化(れっか)している。
The contact point of the switch has deteriorated.
接点(せってん)が汚(よご)れていて電気(でんき)が通(とお)らない。
The contacts are dirty and electricity isn't flowing.
接点(せってん)不良(ふりょう)が原因(げんいん)で機械(きかい)が動(うご)かなくなった。
The machine stopped working due to a faulty contact.

Usage

Sense 1 (figurative connection) is extremely common in news and investigations. The phrase 接点(せってん)がない (there is no connection) is a set expression. Sense 2 (electrical/physical contact) is used in technical contexts.

Common collocations

Related Words

Related: 接(せっ)する (to contact, to adjoin)
Compare: 接触(せっしょく) (contact, touch)
Compare: 交点(こうてん) (intersection)
general
Added 2026.2.23 8:07 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
12500/12945_setten