startpunkt

Startpunkt is a German noun meaning the starting point, origin, or point of departure of a process, journey, or analysis. It is used across disciplines to indicate where something begins, such as the Startpunkt einer Reise, der Startpunkt einer Route on a map, or the Startpunkt einer Untersuchung. In mathematics, data analysis, and planning, the term functions as a generic reference point from which measurements, calculations, or developments proceed.

Etymology and usage:

The word is a compound of Start and Punkt. Start is a loanword from English, while Punkt is the German word for point. Startpunkt is a standard, neutral term in technical writing and everyday language. Depending on context, more formal alternatives such as Ausgangspunkt or Anfangspunkt may be preferred, with Ausgangspunkt emphasizing the origin or departure point and Anfangspunkt stressing the beginning.

Contexts and examples:

In navigation and cartography, the Startpunkt marks where a journey begins. In project management, it denotes the initial phase from which objectives and milestones unfold. In data analysis or programming, the Startpunkt can refer to the baseline value or initial condition used to start a computation or experiment. The term is commonly paired with Endpunkt (endpoint) to describe a complete sequence or trajectory.

See also:

Ausgangspunkt, Ursprung, Anfangspunkt, Endpunkt. Startpunkt remains the most general, versatile term for a starting point in German.