(きてん)

きてん
noun
starting point, point of origin
1. starting point, point of origin
The point from which something begins, whether a physical route, a process, or an abstract development.
ここが(たび)起点(きてん)だ。
This is the starting point of the journey.
東京駅(とうきょうえき)起点(きてん)にして全国(ぜんこく)(ひろ)がる。
It spreads across the country with Tokyo Station as its starting point.
この事件(じけん)社会(しゃかい)変革(へんかく)起点(きてん)となった。
This incident became the starting point of social reform.

起点(きてん) is composed of () (rise, start) + (てん) (point).

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 〜を起点(きてん)にする: to use ~ as a starting point
  • 〜を起点(きてん)として: starting from ~
  • 〜が起点(きてん)となる: to become the starting point

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 出発(しゅっぱつ)起点(きてん): starting point of departure
  • 起点(きてん)から終点(しゅうてん)まで: from start to finish

SIMILAR WORDS: 出発点(しゅっぱつてん) is a close synonym but more commonly used for journeys and metaphorical beginnings. 起点(きてん) is more formal and often used for routes, systems, and historical developments.