基点 (jī diǎn) — (noun) starting point; foundation; (noun) cardinal point (e.g., north, south, east, west); (noun) center; focus

Definition

Literally 'base point' — used in abstract or strategic contexts for a starting point or center (of activity, theory, geography), not for everyday physical places.

noun
starting pointfoundationcardinal point (e.g., north, south, east, west)centerfocus

Examples

  • 基点。
    Zhè ge lǐ lùn shì yán jiū gōng zuò de jī diǎn.
    This theory is the starting point of the research work.
  • 基点：、、、。
    Dì qiú shàng yǒu sì gè zhǔ yào de jī diǎn: dōng, nán, xī, běi.
    There are four main cardinal points on Earth: east, south, west, north.
  • 基点。
    Zhè zuò chéng shì shì jīng jì huó dòng de jī diǎn.
    This city is the center of economic activity.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

基jībase
点diǎnpoint

基 and 点 combine to mean a base point or reference point.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
土土tǔearth
Sound part声符shēngfú
其
其qí基jī
Same sound today

The lower 土 means earth, and the upper 其 gives the sound; together they form the idea of a foundation of earth.

Open 基 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 點; 点 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
黑黑hēiblack
Sound part声符shēngfú
占
占zhàn點diǎn(r)
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 點 pairs 黑 (black) with 占 for its sound; the simplified 点 is a later abbreviation.

Open 点 →

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