der Antagonist
opponent
A person who faces another person as an opponent or adversary.
EXAMPLE
In der Debatte trat er als Antagonist der Ministerin auf.
In the debate, he appeared as the minister's antagonist.
der Antagonist
antagonist
der Antagonist, die Antagonisten
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Meanings
der Antagonist
antagonist
A character in a literary or film work who acts as the main character's opponent and obstructs their goals.
EXAMPLE
Der Antagonist des Romans versucht, die Hauptfigur um jeden Preis aufzuhalten.
The antagonist of the novel tries to stop the main character at any cost.
der Antagonist
antagonist
A muscle, active substance, or other biological factor that counteracts the effect of another.
EXAMPLE
In diesem Medikament blockiert der Antagonist die Wirkung des Botenstoffs.
In this medication, the antagonist blocks the effect of the neurotransmitter.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Antagonist, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Antagonisten |
| genitive | des Antagonisten |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Antagonist | die Antagonisten |
| accusative | den Antagonisten | die Antagonisten |
| dative | dem Antagonisten | den Antagonisten |
| genitive | des Antagonisten | der Antagonisten |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Elevated usage
For real people, 'Antagonist' (antagonist) is mainly used in elevated, analytical language. You may encounter the word in political or historical accounts, for example.
EXAMPLE
Die beiden Politiker waren über Jahrzehnte erbitterte Antagonisten.
The two politicians were bitter antagonists for decades.
Role and evaluation
The term 'Antagonist' (antagonist) describes a character's role in a conflict, not their moral character. An antagonist can therefore have understandable goals or even evoke sympathy from the audience.
EXAMPLE
Obwohl der Antagonist die Pläne der Heldin durchkreuzt, kann man seine Gründe gut verstehen.
Although the antagonist thwarts the heroine's plans, it is easy to understand his reasons.
Typical collocations
When describing film roles, 'den Antagonisten spielen' (to play the antagonist) and 'die Rolle des Antagonisten übernehmen' (to take on the role of the antagonist) are typical expressions.
EXAMPLE
In seinem nächsten Film spielt der Schauspieler den Antagonisten.
In his next film, the actor plays the antagonist.
Technical context
Words such as 'Muskel' (muscle), 'Bewegung' (movement), and 'anspannen' (to tense) point to use in anatomy. When you see 'Rezeptor' (receptor), 'Wirkstoff' (active substance), and 'blockieren' (to block), the context is usually the effect of a medication or another substance.
EXAMPLE
Bei dieser Bewegung wird der Antagonist des angespannten Muskels gedehnt.
During this movement, the antagonist of the tensed muscle is stretched.
Der Wirkstoff wirkt als Antagonist an einem bestimmten Rezeptor und blockiert dort die Wirkung des Botenstoffs.
The active substance acts as an antagonist at a particular receptor and blocks the effect of the neurotransmitter there.
In real life
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