Japanese word

ヒロイン

Pronunciation

Romajihiroin

Meaning

  • nounheroine

Example

この映画のヒロインは最後まであきらめません。ko no ei ga no hi ro i n wa sai go ma de a ki ra me ma se n

The heroine of this film does not give up until the end.

Illustration for ヒロイン (heroine)

More examples

その小説では、ヒロインが仲間を励ましながら旅を続けます。so no shō setsu de wa hi ro i n ga naka ma o hage ma shi na ga ra tabi o tsuzu ke ma su

In that novel, the heroine continues her journey while encouraging her companions.

Core concept

Identifies the female figure who occupies the leading role in a narrative.

Common phrases

  • 映画のヒロインei ga no hi ro i n

    the heroine of a film

  • 物語のヒロインmonogatari no hi ro i n

    the heroine of a story

  • ヒロインを演じるhi ro i n o en ji ru

    play the heroine

Similar words

女主人公joshujinkō: A female character who serves as the central figure in a story.
主人公shujinkō: The central character in a story, regardless of gender.
主役shuyaku: The person or character with the leading role in a story.

Definition in Japanese

小説や劇などで、物語の中心となる女性の登場人物。shō setsu ya geki na do de monogatari no chū shin to na ru jo sei no tō jō jin butsu

Word origin

ヒロイン (hiroin) is borrowed from English heroine, a word derived through French héroïne and Latin herōina from Greek hērōinē, the feminine form of hērōs, "hero".

Usage tips

  • English uses heroine for a female lead even when the story has no romantic plot, so the term refers to narrative importance rather than to being someone's love interest.

Word lists with this word