udgangspunktet

Udgangspunktet is a Danish noun meaning "the starting point" or "the basis" for a reasoning, plan, or analysis. It denotes the reference point from which something is developed, assessed, or discussed. The term is widely used in journalism, academia, planning, design, and everyday speech to indicate initial conditions, premises, or anchor points for further action. In philosophical and research contexts, udgangspunktet can refer to the initial assumptions or framework from which an argument or inquiry proceeds; in project work it can denote the baseline conditions or initial data used for comparison.

Etymology: The word is formed from the prefix ud- and the noun udgangspunkt (the starting point), with the definite form udgangspunktet. The definite form is used when the point is specifically identified within the context.

Usage notes: The phrase "udgangspunktet for X" signals that X serves as the foundation for discussion or analysis. The concept overlaps with "basis," "reference frame," or "forudsætning" (premise). In Norwegian, the cognate utgangspunktet expresses a very similar meaning.