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起点 (qǐ diǎn) — starting point

Definition

起点 means 'starting point,' often used figuratively (a new starting point for something). 起点 and 出发点 are close, but 出发点 adds a sense of 'basis' or 'motive' (e.g. for an argument or action).

noun
starting point
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 起点。
    Zhè cì bǐ sài de qǐ diǎn zài gōng yuán mén kǒu.
    The starting point of this competition is at the park entrance.
  • 起点。
    Zhè ge xiàng mù shì wǒ men hé zuò de xīn qǐ diǎn.
    This project is a new starting point for our cooperation.
  • 起点，。
    Cóng qǐ diǎn dào zhōng diǎn, wǒ men zǒu le liǎng gè xiǎo shí.
    From the starting point to the finish, we walked for two hours.

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.

起qǐstart
点diǎnpoint

起 (start) and 点 (point) mean the point where something starts.

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
走走zǒu
Sound part声符shēngfú
巳
巳sì起qǐ
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

起 is made from 走 and 巳: 走 is the part connected with walking or running, and 巳 gives the sound.

Open 起 →

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 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 6Change & Process

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