点
spot, point, mark, speck, decimal point
Readings
On'yomi
- テン
Kun'yomi
- つ.ける
- つ.く
- た.てる
- さ.す
- とぼ.す
- とも.す
- ぼち
Meaning
点 centers on a small, precise location or mark: a spot, a point in space or argument, a speck, or the decimal point that separates whole from fractional parts.
Most common words using 点
24 of 556- 点てんN4
dot; spot; point; speck; mark
- 時点じてん
point in time; occasion
- 視点してんN1
point of view; viewpoint; angle; perspective
- 拠点きょてん
base (of operations); site; location; center; foothold; stronghold; (strategic) position
- 得点とくてんN1
scoring; score; points made; marks obtained; goals; runs
- 地点ちてんN2
spot; point; place; position
- 観点かんてんN1
point of view; viewpoint; standpoint; perspective; angle
- 点数てんすうN2
marks; points; score; grade; runs (baseball)
- 満点まんてんN3
perfect score; full marks
- 交差点こうさてんN5
crossing; intersection
- 弱点じゃくてんN3
weak point; weakness; shortcoming; defect; flaw; sore spot; tender spot
- 欠点けってんN3
fault; defect; flaw; weak point; weakness; shortcoming; drawback
- 現時点げんじてんN2
present point (i.e. in history); at the present time
- 失点しってん
lost point (in a game); point given away; conceded goal
- 利点りてんN1
advantage; point in favor; point in favour
- 焦点しょうてんN2
focus; focal point
- 点検てんけんN2
detailed inspection; thorough examination; checking
- 原点げんてんN1
starting point; origin; beginning
- 頂点ちょうてんN2
vertex; apex
- 接点せってん
point of tangency; point of contact
- 同点どうてん
same score; deadlock; tie; draw
- 重点じゅうてんN2
important point; emphasis; stress; importance; priority
- 採点さいてんN2
marking; grading; scoring
- 点滴てんてきN1
raindrops; falling drop of water
Study
Etymology
点 is the modern simplified form of 點. The older form combines 黑 (black) with 占 (to occupy), suggesting a small black mark or dot. The modern form retains 占 and replaces 黑 with the fire radical 灬, which is a common simplification pattern.
Meaning mnemonic
The top 占 looks like a fortune-telling slip, and the bottom 灬 is fire. Imagine a fortune slip marked with a tiny burn spot: that spot is the point of the message.
Reading mnemonic
For テン, picture ten tiny spots arranged in a perfect decimal point: ten -> テン, and each spot marks a point.