alkupisteillä

Alkupisteillä is a Finnish word that literally translates to “at the starting points” or “in the starting positions.” It is derived from the noun alkupiste, meaning a starting point or beginning mark, combined with the prepositionillä indicating location. The term is commonly used in contexts such as navigation, mapping, and sports, where reference to a specific starting location is necessary. For instance, a hiking guide may say that a trail starts alkupisteillä at the parking area, or a marathon description may note that the race begins alkupisteillä at the city hall.

In transportation and logistics, alkupisteillä is often used to describe the origin of a journey or shipment. A short railway timetable might indicate that a train departs alkupisteillä at 08:00 from the main station. In sports like rowing or cycling, the phrase can denote the exact spot from where competitors must start their race, ensuring fairness and standardization across events. The term is mostly found in written Finnish, particularly in official documents, instruction manuals, ticketing systems, and sporting regulations.

The usage of alkupisteillä emphasizes specificity; it points to a precise locus in space rather than a general direction. Because it is a compound noun, variations such as alkupisteiset (starting points) or alkupisteiden (of starting points) can be formed, but the core expression alkupisteillä remains the most common for speaking of the place itself. The word is understood by Finnish speakers across all regions and is included in standard dictionaries, underscoring its role as a staple linguistic element in everyday and formal communication.