Chinese word

主角

Pronunciation

Pinyinzhǔ jué

Meaning

  • nounmain character

Example

这部电影的主角很有魅力。zhè bù diàn yǐng de zhǔ jué hěn yǒu mèi lì

The main character in this movie is very charming.

Illustration for 主角 (main character)

More examples

他在电影中饰演主角，表演很自然。tā zài diàn yǐng zhōng shì yǎn zhǔ jué biáo yǎn hěn zì rán

He plays the main character in the movie, and his acting is very natural.

Core concept

The role at the center of a story, whose choices or presence drive the action.

Common phrases

  • 饰演主角shì yǎn zhǔ jué

    play the main character

  • 男主角nán zhǔ jué

    male lead

  • 成为主角chéng wéi zhǔ jué

    become the main character

Similar words

主人公zhǔ rén gōng: The main character around whom a story or play is built.
主演zhú yǎn: The actor who plays a leading role in a film or stage production.
角色jué sè: A character or role in a novel, film, or play.
中心人物zhōng xīn rén wù: A person who draws attention or has strong influence at the center of a group or event.

Definition in Chinese

指在小说、戏剧或电影中对剧情发展起决定性作用的角色或人物。zhǐ zài xiǎo shuō xì jù huò diàn yǐng zhōng duì jù qíng fā zhǎn qǐ jué dìng xìng zuò yòng de jué sè huò rén wù

Word origin

主 (zhǔ, "main") + 角 (jué, "role") forms the idea of the main role in a play, which extends naturally to the leading role in a novel or film.

Usage tips

  • English speakers often connect "protagonist" with a hero, but the central character in 主角 (zhǔjué, "main character") can be morally good, bad, or mixed.

Other meanings

  • central figurenoun

Opposites

  • 配角pèi juésupporting characternoun

Related words

  • 男主角nán zhǔ juémale leadnoun
  • 女主角nǘ zhǔ juéfemale leadnoun
  • 主角光环zhǔ jué guāng huánmain-character auranoun

Word lists with this word