1.
passing point; waypoint; checkpoint along a route
A physical point that one passes through on a route or course, such as in racing, hiking, or navigation.
マラソンの通過点でタイムを確認した。
I checked my time at the checkpoint in the marathon.
登山ルートの通過点に目印を付けた。
I marked the waypoints along the climbing route.
台風の通過点となる地域では警戒が必要だ。
Areas in the path of the typhoon need to be on alert.
2.
milestone; stepping stone; intermediate stage
Figuratively, a point in a process or journey that is not the final destination but merely a stage along the way. Often used to express that a current achievement or situation is just one step in a longer progression.
この優勝はまだ通過点に過ぎない。
This championship is merely a milestone along the way.
卒業は人生の一つの通過点だ。
Graduation is just one milestone in life.
彼にとってこの試合は通過点に過ぎず、本当の目標はオリンピックだ。
For him, this match is just a stepping stone — his real goal is the Olympics.
Compound of 通過 (passing through) + 点 (point). Very frequently used in the figurative sense, especially in sports interviews and motivational contexts, where athletes describe victories as merely 通過点 on the way to a larger goal.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 通過点に過ぎない: merely a passing point; just a milestone
- 人生の通過点: a milestone in life
- まだ通過点だ: it's still just a waypoint
- 通過点として: as a stepping stone
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 節目: turning point; milestone — emphasizes the boundary between stages
- マイルストーン: milestone (loanword) — used mainly in project management
- 中間地点: midpoint; halfway point — specifically the middle of a route or process
- 踏み台: stepping stone — more negative connotation of being used by someone