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bida

bída with stress marks

lead character

noun BI-da Spanish origin Less Common

Usage Note

Bida comes from Spanish vida (life) but was repurposed in Filipino entertainment to mean the protagonist or hero of a film, TV show, or story. Its antonym is kontrabida (villain), and colloquially bida also describes someone who acts like the center of attention or steals the show.

Examples

Beginner

" Sino ang bida sa pelikula? "

Natural Translation

Who is the lead in the movie?

Literal Translation

Who the lead-character in movie?

Intermediate

" Ang bida ng pelikula ay isang batang sundalo. "

Natural Translation

The lead character of the film is a young soldier.

Literal Translation

The lead-character of-the film is a young soldier.

Advanced

" Kahit pangalawang tauhan lang siya, mas gusto ng mga manonood ang kanyang papel kaysa sa tunay na bida. "

Natural Translation

Even though he's only a supporting character, the audience likes his role more than the actual lead.

Literal Translation

Even second character only he, more like of plural viewer the his role than to true lead-character.

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