The main thing is placed in the first place of importance.
Principal is that or that which enjoys the first place in importance or estimation . The main thing, therefore, takes precedence and is preferable to other options.
For example: “The main thing at this moment is to pay the debt to avoid the auction” , “My main concern is health, the rest is secondary” , “Marcelo López is the main candidate to succeed the fired coach” .
main character
Due to its meaning, the term in question – originating from the Latin word principālis – becomes a word widely used in countless sectors of society. Thus, for example, in literature reference is made to what is known as the main character who, as can be assumed, is the protagonist. That is, it is the most important of the entire work and on which it revolves.
In the world of cinema or theater this word is also used. In this way, in these two sectors we talk about the main actors and actresses , who are the ones who lead the production. They lead it because precisely they are the ones who give life to the characters who carry all the weight of the plot in question.
The main character of a work is known as the protagonist.
The concept linked to the fundamental or priority
It is possible to establish analogies between the notion of principal and concepts such as priority , essential , fundamental or basic . The main thing is always what appears at the top of a hypothetical list of priorities or obligations. Therefore, it is incoherent to attend to minor or secondary details and not pay attention to the main thing.
This notion can be understood from different examples. In the middle of a fire, a firefighter enters a burning house and finds a trapped person surrounded by their belongings. The main thing is to rescue said person to save their life; Then it will be time to analyze what material objects can be rescued, without putting the firefighter's own health at risk.
The main thing can also turn out to be a hypothesis or something potential. At the beginning of a soccer tournament, there are several teams that are candidates for the title. Experts can determine that the main candidate is team X thanks to the quality of their players. This distinguishes it from the rest of the teams, but it does not guarantee that at the end of the championship, team
Other uses of the term main
In addition to everything stated above, we would also have to make it clear that there are terms and expressions of different types that also use the main word. Thus, we find, for example, what is known as main delicacy . This is the name given to a dish that is identified by being composed of breadcrumbs, milk, egg yolks and cheese.
Within the architectural field, and specifically in religious buildings, there is what is known as the main nave . In large churches and cathedrals, this expression is most frequently used to refer to the central nave of the temple, which is identified by being the widest, by being the most important, and by being the one that directly leads to what is the altar.