Japanese word

主人公

Pronunciation

Romajishujinkō

Meaning

  • nounmain character

Example

この物語の主人公は最後に勝ちます。ko no monogatari no shu jin kō wa sai go ni ka chi ma su

The main character in this story wins in the end.

Illustration for 主人公 (main character)

More examples

映画では主人公が友達と力を合わせます。ei ga de wa shu jin kō ga tomo dachi to chikara o a wa se ma su

In the movie, the main character joins forces with friends.

Core concept

Centers on the person whose actions and experiences drive the story.

Common phrases

  • 映画の主人公ei ga no shu jin kō

    the main character in the movie

  • 主人公の名前shu jin kō no na mae

    the main character's name

  • 主人公として登場するshu jin kō to shi te tō jō su ru

    appear as the main character

Similar words

主役shuyaku: The person given the central role in a story, film, or play.

Definition in Japanese

物語の展開を中心に描かれる人物。monogatari no ten kai o chū shin ni ega ka re ru jin butsu

Word origin

主人公 (shujinkō) combines 主 (shu, "master" or "main"), 人 (jin, "person"), and 公 (kō, "a person of public standing"), forming a term for the principal person in a story.

Usage tips

  • In English, protagonist does not always mean a hero because the central character can also make harmful or selfish choices.

Other meanings

  • heronoun
  • heroinenoun
  • protagonistnoun

Opposites

  • 脇役wakiyakusupporting characternoun

Word lists with this word