出发点

• Pinyin: chū fā diǎn
• Hanzi breakdown: 出 = to go out; 发 = to emit/start; 点 = point/dot

Meaning

Starting point; point of departure; original intention or motive.

Can be literal (physical starting location) or figurative (original motivation or basis for thinking). Often used when discussing intentions behind actions or the foundation of arguments.

Examples

1. 他的出发点是好的，只是方法不对。 His intentions were good, just the methods were wrong.
2. 我们讨论问题要从实际出发，找准出发点。 When discussing problems, we should start from reality and find the right starting point.
3. 从不同的出发点看这个问题，会得出不同的结论。 Looking at this issue from different starting points leads to different conclusions.

Usage Guide

Context: discussion, analysis, motivation

Tone: analytical

Do Say

• 你的出发点是为公司好，我理解。(Your intention was for the company's benefit — I understand.)
• 我们的出发点一致，都是想解决问题。(Our starting points align — we both want to solve the problem.)

Don't Say

• 火车的出发点 (For train stations, use 始发站 — 出发点 is more abstract)

Origin & History

Compound of 出发 (to set out/depart) and 点 (point). Extended from physical starting point to abstract origin of thought.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal