How to say 'Role' in Japanese | 役

Wondering how to say 'Role' in Japanese? You're in the right place!

The Japanese word for Role is 'Yaku', written as 役 in Japanese.'Role' in hiragana is やく.

word

役

Meaning

Role

Reading

やく

yaku

Kanji

役Duty

Explanation

The Japanese noun '役 (やく)' primarily means 'role'. It is used to describe a part or function that someone or something has in a particular situation, such as in a play, job, or society. For example: He played the role of a villain「彼は悪役を演じた」(かれはあくやくをえんじた). This word can also refer to a duty or responsibility, as in: It's my role to take care of the children「子供の世話をするのは私の役です」(こどものせわをするのはわたしのやくです). Additionally, '役' can be used in compound words like '役割 (やくわり)' which also means 'role' or 'function'.

Part Of Speech

noun

Kanji JLPT

Kanji Grade

Frequency

604

Composition

kanji

Handwriting

Kanji in the Word 役

This word contains 1 kanji character:

kanji

役

Meaning

Duty

Words Related to 役 Through the Kanji 役

These 13 Words contain the Kanji 役 as well.

word

役割

Meaning

Role

word

役に立つ

Meaning

Useful

word

市役所

Meaning

City hall

word

区役所

Meaning

Ward office

word

重役

Meaning

Executive

word

主役

Meaning

Lead

word

役所

Meaning

Government, Office

word

役立つ

Meaning

Useful

word

役員

Meaning

Executive

word

役人

Meaning

Official

word

役目

Meaning

Duty, Role

word

役者

Meaning

Actor

word

現役

Meaning

Active

Learn the Word 役

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What does 'Yaku' (役) mean?

'Yaku' means 'Role' .

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