der  Stützpunkt

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʃtʏt͡spʊŋkt/

📍 What exactly is a Stützpunkt?

The word der Stützpunkt generally refers to a location that serves as a base or starting point for specific activities. It has several specific meanings:

• Military/Security 💂: A fortified or secured facility serving as a base for military operations, supply, or defense (e.g., Militärstützpunkt - military base, Marinestützpunkt - naval base).
• Logistics/Transport 🚚: A central location for the distribution, maintenance, or handling of goods or vehicles (e.g., Logistikstützpunkt - logistics base, Servicestützpunkt - service point).
• Rescue Services/Aid 🚑: A location for emergency services, mountain rescue, or other aid organizations (e.g., Rettungsstützpunkt - rescue base).
• General/Metaphorical 🗺️: Any place that offers support, stability, or a base for endeavors (e.g., a Stützpunkt for mountaineers).

It is always a Punkt (point) that stützt (supports).

🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: Der Stützpunkt

Der Stützpunkt is a masculine noun. Its declension is as follows:

Example Sentences

1. Der neue Militärstützpunkt wurde gestern eingeweiht.
   (The new military base was inaugurated yesterday.)
2. Von diesem Stützpunkt aus starten die Rettungshubschrauber.
   (The rescue helicopters take off from this base.)
3. Die Logistikfirma betreibt mehrere Stützpunkte im Land.
   (The logistics company operates several hubs in the country.)
4. Für die Expedition richteten sie einen Stützpunkt im Basislager ein.
   (For the expedition, they set up a base camp support point.)

💬 How to Use "Stützpunkt"?

The term Stützpunkt is often used in specific contexts:

• Military and Security: Very common for military bases, often in compound words like Luftwaffenstützpunkt (air force base), Marinestützpunkt (naval base).
• Logistics and Transport: Here it denotes central hubs for goods or services, e.g., Paketstützpunkt (parcel hub), Servicestützpunkt (service point).
• Rescue Services: For locations of fire departments, emergency medical services, technical relief organizations (THW), etc.
• Expeditions and Research: As a base for operations in remote areas (e.g., Forschungsstützpunkt - research base in Antarctica).

In general conversation, it's somewhat less common but can be used metaphorically for an important point of contact or source of support.

There is little risk of confusion, as the meaning usually becomes clear from the context. Words like Basis (base) or Station (station) can sometimes be used synonymously but often carry slightly different connotations.

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Article Mnemonic: Think of der Punkt (the point). A Stützpunkt is masculine, just like der Punkt.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine a pillar (eine Stütze - a support) standing at a specific Punkt (point), holding up or supporting something important. A Stützpunkt supports (stützt) operations at a fixed point (Punkt).

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

⚠️ Similar but Different Words

• die Stütze: The element that provides support (e.g., a pillar, a person). Feminine!
• der Punkt: Just the geometric location or an aspect, without the function of a base.

😄 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Mathematik-Stützpunkt immer gute Laune?
(Why is the mathematics support point always in a good mood?)

Weil er so viele positive Punkte hat!
(Because it has so many positive points!)

📜 A Poem about the Stützpunkt

Ein fester Ort, der Stützpunkt heißt,
\(A firm place, called the base,)
\Wo Sicherheit und Ordnung kreist.
\(Where safety and order circulate.)
\Für Soldaten, Retter, weit und breit,
\(For soldiers, rescuers, far and wide,)
\Ein Halt in stürmischer Zeit.
\(A hold in stormy times.)

Von hier aus wird geplant, agiert,
\(From here, plans are made, actions taken,)
\Der Nachschub rollt, man ist basiert.
\(Supplies roll in, one is based.)
\Ein wichtiger Punkt, zentral und klar,
\(An important point, central and clear,)
\Im Netz der Wege, wunderbar.
\(In the network of paths, wonderful.)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bin ein Ort, doch nicht zum Wohnen fein,
\(I am a place, but not nice for living,)
\Ich biete Schutz und lass Versorgung sein.
\(I offer protection and allow supply.)
\Militär und Helfer nutzen mich als Halt,
\(Military and helpers use me as a hold,)
\Von mir aus starten sie, mal jung, mal alt.
\(From me they start, sometimes young, sometimes old.)
\Mal lieg ich fern, mal mitten im Geschehen,
\(Sometimes I lie far away, sometimes in the middle of the action,)
\Man braucht mich, um Operationen zu bestehen.
\(One needs me to carry out operations.)

Was bin ich? / What am I?

Lösung / Solution: Der Stützpunkt

🧩 Additional Info

Word Composition:

The word Stützpunkt is a compound noun, formed from:

• die Stütze: Something that provides support or stability.
• der Punkt: A specific location or point.

Together, they create the meaning of a location (Punkt) that serves as support or a base (Stütze).

Specific Types: There are many specific terms indicating the purpose of the Stützpunkt, e.g., Polizeistützpunkt (police support point), Luftrettungsstützpunkt (air rescue base), Logistikstützpunkt (logistics hub).