Englisch

protagonist

gb/pɹoʊtˈæɡənɪst/ us/pɹoʊtˈæɡənɪst/
B2 Englisch
Bedeutungen
0 Bedeutungen
Nomen B2 role
1

main character in a story

the most important character in a story

Verwendungsmuster: the protagonist of [a book/film/story]
Häufiger Fehler:
A protagonist is the main character, not necessarily a good person; the opposite role is usually the antagonist.
Synonyme
main character (Direct, neutral synonym.) | hero (Common in stories, but often suggests the character is admirable or morally good.)
Antonyme
antagonist (The character who opposes the protagonist.) | villain (An opponent who is clearly bad or harmful; not all antagonists are villains.)
Wortverbindungen
main protagonist |central protagonist |the novel's protagonist |the film's protagonist |a sympathetic protagonist |a complex protagonist |a strong protagonist |follow the protagonist |the protagonist's journey |protagonist and antagonist
Themen
literature |film_tv |storytelling
Beispiele
  • The protagonist of the novel is a young doctor working in a war zone.
  • In the film, the protagonist slowly realizes he has been lied to for years.
  • We see the story mostly through the protagonist’s eyes.
Beispiele für Lernende
  • The protagonist is the main character.
  • Who is the protagonist in this movie?
Nomen formal C1 role
2

central person in an event

the main person involved in an event

Verwendungsmuster: a protagonist in [a dispute/crisis/scandal]
Häufiger Fehler:
In this meaning, it refers to real situations, not stories; it can sound formal or journalistic.
Synonyme
central figure (Neutral focus on prominence.) | key player (More modern and slightly less formal; often used in politics or business.)
Antonyme
bystander (Someone present but not involved.) | minor figure (Someone with little importance in the situation.)
Wortverbindungen
a leading protagonist |a key protagonist |a central protagonist |a protagonist in the dispute |political protagonists |protagonists on both sides |the main protagonists |the protagonists of the crisis
Themen
news |society |conflict
Beispiele
  • She became a protagonist in the debate over online privacy.
  • The two protagonists in the scandal gave competing accounts to the press.
  • Historians still argue about who the main protagonists of the revolution were.
Beispiele für Lernende
  • He was a main protagonist in the conflict.
  • She is one of the protagonists in this case.
Nomen formal C1 role
3

leading supporter of a cause

a person who strongly supports an idea

Verwendungsmuster: a protagonist of [an idea/policy/reform]
Häufiger Fehler:
This meaning is closer to 'champion' or 'advocate'; it is not about fiction characters.
Synonyme
advocate (Stresses speaking or arguing in support.) | champion (Stresses energetic, public support and promotion.)
Antonyme
opponent (Someone who argues against the cause or idea.) | critic (Someone who expresses disapproval; may not be directly opposing in action.)
Wortverbindungen
a protagonist of reform |a protagonist of change |an early protagonist |a vocal protagonist |a prominent protagonist |a protagonist for the policy |a protagonist of the movement |a protagonist of equal rights
Themen
politics |society |activism
Beispiele
  • He was a prominent protagonist of education reform.
  • Several scientists became protagonists of stronger climate policies.
  • She emerged as a protagonist for disability rights in the workplace.
Beispiele für Lernende
  • She is a protagonist of the new plan.
  • He became a protagonist of equal rights.
Grammatik
Grundform
protagonist
IPA
GB/pɹoʊtˈæɡənɪst/
US/pɹoʊtˈæɡənɪst/
Silben & Betonung
prot - ag - on - ist (4 Silben)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ag)
Wortformen
Noun
  • Base: protagonist
  • Plural: protagonists
Wortfamilie
Forms
protagonists noun
Related words
character noun B1 hero noun A2
Negative and opposite forms
antagonist noun B2
Advanced or less common
antagonistic adjective antagonism noun C1
Ausdrücke

be the protagonist of your own life

1
/bˈi ðə pɹoʊtˈæɡənɪst əv jˈʊɹ ˈoʊn lˈaɪf/
idiom

take active control of life

to take control of your life

Beispiele
  • She decided to be the protagonist of her own life and apply for the job she really wanted.
  • The coach told the team to be the protagonists of their own lives, not spectators.

protagonist and antagonist

1
/pɹoʊtˈæɡənɪst ˈænd æntˈæɡənɪst/
fixed phrase

hero and opposing character together

The main character in a story and the main character who fights against that person.

Beispiele
  • In this play, the line between protagonist and antagonist is deliberately blurred.
  • The writing workshop focused on building strong conflicts between the protagonist and antagonist.
  • Students had to describe the relationship between the protagonist and antagonist in the novel.

protagonist and antagonist

1
/pɹoʊtˈæɡənɪst ˈænd æntˈæɡənɪst/
fixed phrase

main character and opponent

the main character and the one who fights them

Beispiele
  • The film blurs the line between protagonist and antagonist.
  • Good thrillers build tension by giving both the protagonist and antagonist strong motives.

reluctant protagonist

1
/ɹɪlˈʌktənt pɹoʊtˈæɡənɪst/
fixed phrase

main character who resists role

a main character who does not want the role

Beispiele
  • The series follows a reluctant protagonist who keeps trying to avoid trouble.
  • In her memoir, she presents herself as a reluctant protagonist in a family feud.

tragic protagonist

1
/tɹˈæd͡ʒɪk pɹoʊtˈæɡənɪst/
fixed phrase literary

main character in a tragedy

the main character in a sad tragedy

Beispiele
  • In Shakespeare’s play, the tragic protagonist’s choices drive the disaster.
  • The novel builds sympathy for its tragic protagonist before the final collapse.

unlikely protagonist

1
/ʌnlˈaɪkli pɹoʊtˈæɡənɪst/
fixed phrase

surprising main character

a surprising person to be the main character

Beispiele
  • A quiet accountant makes an unlikely protagonist for an action film.
  • In the documentary, the teacher becomes an unlikely protagonist in a national controversy.

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