protagonist
gb/pɹoʊtˈæɡənɪst/ us/pɹoʊtˈæɡənɪst/
B2
Kiingereza
Maana
maana 0
Nomino
B2
role
1
main character in a story
the most important character in a story
Muundo wa matumizi:
the protagonist of [a book/film/story]
Kosa la kawaida:
A protagonist is the main character, not necessarily a good person; the opposite role is usually the antagonist.
Visawe
main character (Direct, neutral synonym.)
|
hero (Common in stories, but often suggests the character is admirable or morally good.)
Vinyume
antagonist (The character who opposes the protagonist.)
|
villain (An opponent who is clearly bad or harmful; not all antagonists are villains.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
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
Mada
literature
|film_tv
|storytelling
Mifano
- 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.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- The protagonist is the main character.
- Who is the protagonist in this movie?
Nomino
formal
C1
role
2
central person in an event
the main person involved in an event
Muundo wa matumizi:
a protagonist in [a dispute/crisis/scandal]
Kosa la kawaida:
In this meaning, it refers to real situations, not stories; it can sound formal or journalistic.
Visawe
central figure (Neutral focus on prominence.)
|
key player (More modern and slightly less formal; often used in politics or business.)
Vinyume
bystander (Someone present but not involved.)
|
minor figure (Someone with little importance in the situation.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
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
Mada
news
|society
|conflict
Mifano
- 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.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- He was a main protagonist in the conflict.
- She is one of the protagonists in this case.
Nomino
formal
C1
role
3
leading supporter of a cause
a person who strongly supports an idea
Muundo wa matumizi:
a protagonist of [an idea/policy/reform]
Kosa la kawaida:
This meaning is closer to 'champion' or 'advocate'; it is not about fiction characters.
Visawe
advocate (Stresses speaking or arguing in support.)
|
champion (Stresses energetic, public support and promotion.)
Vinyume
opponent (Someone who argues against the cause or idea.)
|
critic (Someone who expresses disapproval; may not be directly opposing in action.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
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
Mada
politics
|society
|activism
Mifano
- 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.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- She is a protagonist of the new plan.
- He became a protagonist of equal rights.
Sarufi
Umbo la kamusi
protagonist
IPA
GB/pɹoʊtˈæɡənɪst/
US/pɹoʊtˈæɡənɪst/
Silabi na mkazo
prot - ag - on - ist (silabi 4)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ag)
Maumbo ya neno
Noun
- Base: protagonist
- Plural: protagonists
Familia ya neno
Forms
protagonists
noun
Negative and opposite forms
antagonist
noun B2
Advanced or less common
antagonistic
adjective
antagonism
noun C1
Semi
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
Mifano
- 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.
Mifano
- 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
Mifano
- 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
Mifano
- 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
Mifano
- 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
Mifano
- A quiet accountant makes an unlikely protagonist for an action film.
- In the documentary, the teacher becomes an unlikely protagonist in a national controversy.