vändpunkt

Vändpunkt is a Swedish noun meaning turning point. Etymology: from vända "to turn" and punkt "point". In general usage, a vändpunkt denotes a decisive change in direction, situation, or outlook, occurring in individuals, groups, events, or analyses.

In literature and narrative theory, a vändpunkt is a plot point that shifts the course of the story or the protagonist's aims. It may arise from external events or internal realization and is typically irreversible, setting the stage for the following phase of action. In many three-act narratives, the first turning point propels the story from the setup into the main conflict, while a second turning point can pivot the character toward the climax.

In historical, social, or personal contexts, a vändpunkt marks a moment of transformation, such as a crisis, decision, or revelation that alters trajectories. In psychology and autobiography the term is used to describe pivotal life events that change beliefs, identity, or behavior.

In mathematics and data analysis, a turning point describes a point at which a function changes its direction of motion, typically a local maximum or minimum on a graph of f(x). It should not be confused with an inflection point, where curvature changes but not necessarily monotonic direction.