contact point
Loading your saved state.
contact point
A place, person, or organization that you can turn to first in order to get help, advice, or information.
Für wohnungslose Menschen ist die Bahnhofsmission eine wichtige Anlaufstelle.
For homeless people, the railway station mission is an important contact point.
The word is made up of 'anlaufen' and 'Stelle'. 'Anlaufen' here means 'to turn to something'. An 'Anlaufstelle' (contact point) is therefore literally a place you turn to.
Das Bürgeramt ist die erste Anlaufstelle für Passangelegenheiten.
The citizens' office is the first contact point for passport matters.
Common verbs used with 'Anlaufstelle' (contact point) are 'sein' (to be) and 'dienen' (to serve). It is often combined with adjectives such as 'erste' (first), 'wichtige' (important), or 'zentrale' (central).
Die Hotline dient als zentrale Anlaufstelle für alle technischen Probleme.
The hotline serves as a central contact point for all technical problems.
To say for whom or what the contact point is intended, the preposition 'für' is used followed by the accusative. The structure is: Anlaufstelle für [people or problems].
Die Schulpsychologin ist eine Anlaufstelle für Schüler mit Sorgen.
The school psychologist is a contact point for students with worries.
address
'Adresse' and 'Anlaufstelle' can both have to do with where you turn with a concern or request. This is especially true in the phrase 'an der richtigen Adresse sein' (to have come to the right place). It means that you are with the right person or office. 'Anlaufstelle' is more concrete and refers to that person, organization, or place itself, often for help, advice, or information. Learners may confuse the words because both fit situations involving questions or problems. In a normal sentence, you are more likely to say 'Anlaufstelle' when naming the contact point. 'An der richtigen Adresse sein' is a fixed expression.
Bei Problemen mit dem Zug ist der Informationsschalter die erste Anlaufstelle.
If you have problems with the train, the information desk is the first contact point.
Wenn du Fragen zur Anmeldung hast, bist du im Sekretariat an der richtigen Adresse.
If you have questions about registration, the secretary’s office is the right place to go.