German word

Protagonist

Pronunciation

IPA/protagoˈnɪst/

Meaning

  • masculine nounmain character

Example

Ich sehe den Protagonisten im Film.

I see the main character in the film.

Illustration for Protagonist (main character)

More examples

Der Protagonist steht oft im Mittelpunkt von Konflikten.

The protagonist is often at the center of conflicts.

Core concept

A lead figure carries the action of a story and can also stand at the front of a cause.

Common phrases

  • Protagonist der Tragödie

    the tragedy's protagonist

  • als moralischer Protagonist

    as a moral protagonist

  • die Entwicklung des Protagonisten

    the protagonist's development

Similar words

Hauptfigur: The central character who moves the events of a story or play forward.
Hauptperson: The person with a major role in events or a scene.
Hauptdarsteller: The actor who plays a leading role in a film or on stage.
Rolle: The part played by an actor in a play or film.

Definition in German

Protagonist ist die Person in einer Erzählung oder einem Film, die die Hauptrolle hat und im Zentrum der Handlung steht.

Word origin

German Protagonist comes through Latin from Greek prōtagōnistēs, meaning a leading actor, from prōtos 'first' and agōnistēs 'contestant'.

Usage tips

  • Protagonist is common in literary and critical writing, while Hauptfigur or Hauptperson is often more natural in everyday German.

Other meanings

  • advocatenoun

Opposites

  • Antagonistantagonistnoun

Related words

  • Protagonistinfemale protagonistnoun
  • Protagonistenbilddepiction of the protagonistnoun

Word lists with this word