切入口 (qiē rù kǒu) — entry point; point of access; starting point (for solving a problem or beginning a task)

Definition

A figurative 'entry point' — the best place to start tackling a problem or beginning a task, chosen because it opens up the whole issue. More strategic and planned than a casual 起点.

noun
entry pointpoint of accessstarting point (for solving a problem or beginning a task)

Examples

  • 切入口。
    Zhè ge wèn tí de qiē rù kǒu xū yào zǐ xì fēn xī.
    This problem's entry point needs careful analysis.
  • 切入口。
    Wài kē yī shēng zhǎo dào le zuì jiā de shǒu shù qiē rù kǒu.
    The surgeon found the best surgical entry point.
  • ，切入口。
    Xué xí yì mén wài yǔ, zhǎo dào hé shì de qiē rù kǒu hěn zhòng yào.
    When learning a foreign language, finding the right entry point is very important.

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.

切入cut into
切qiècut入rùin
补充Verb + complement
口kǒuopening

'切' and '入' suggest cutting into; '口' is an opening, so together they mean an entry 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
刀刀dāoknife
Sound part声符shēngfú
七
七qī切qiè
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

In 切, the 刀 (knife) part is joined to 七, which gives the sound.

Open 切 →

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

入 is drawn as an arrowhead, indicating 'to enter'.

Open 入 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The form 口 looks like an open mouth.

Open 口 →

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