starting point
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starting point
The place or marker where a movement, competition, or journey begins.
Der Startpunkt des Marathons befindet sich direkt vor dem Rathaus.
The starting point of the marathon is located directly in front of the town hall.
starting point
The beginning in time or content of a process, development, or line of thought.
Diese Entdeckung war der Startpunkt für eine völlig neue Forschungsrichtung.
This discovery was the starting point for a completely new direction in research.
This word is a simple compound made up of 'Start' (start) and 'Punkt' (point). So it literally refers to the point where something starts.
Wir treffen uns eine Stunde vor dem Rennen am Startpunkt.
We are meeting at the starting point one hour before the race.
The preposition 'am' (at the) is used to describe the position. The preposition 'für' (for) indicates what it is the starting point of.
Alle Läufer versammelten sich am Startpunkt.
All the runners gathered at the starting point.
You can recognize the figurative meaning by the fact that it is not about a physical place, but about a beginning in time or in a process. Signal words are often abstract nouns such as 'Diskussion' (discussion), 'Entwicklung' (development), or 'Karriere' (career).
Seine Rede war der Startpunkt für eine hitzige Debatte im Parlament.
His speech was the starting point for a heated debate in parliament.
beginning
Anfang can refer to the first part of a journey, while Startpunkt refers to the specific place where it begins. When the first stretch is meant, Anfang is appropriate; when the exact place of departure should be named, Startpunkt is clearer.
Der Parkplatz am Waldrand ist der Startpunkt der Wanderung.
The parking lot at the edge of the forest is the starting point of the hike.
Der Anfang der Wanderung führt durch einen dichten Wald.
The beginning of the hike leads through a dense forest.
