also: メーン
noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
Used as a no-adjective to describe the primary or most important thing in a set. Common in compounds like メインイベント (main event) or メインキャラクター (main character).
Today's main event is the fireworks display.
The main character of this game is very strong.
Abbreviation of メインディッシュ. Used in dining contexts to refer to the primary course of a meal.
See also: メインディッシュ
Let's have steak as the main dish.
The main course of the set meal was brought out.
Refers to the central or most important component of something, such as a story, performance, or project. Overlaps with sense 1 but used as a standalone noun.
The main part of this song is the chorus.
The main part of the presentation is the market analysis.
I made a dish centered mainly on vegetables.
Music is the main focus of this event.
Today's main dish is grilled chicken.
He took the main role in running the proceedings.
主な is a native Japanese adjective meaning 'main/chief' and sounds slightly more formal than the loanword メイン.
Most common katakana spelling; used across all senses.
Alternate katakana spelling reflecting a more elongated vowel; less common but still encountered.
Borrowed from English 'main'. The elongated vowel variant メーン reflects an older or more emphatic pronunciation.