What is the Kanji for "Duty"?

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for "Duty", you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for "Duty" is "役".

This kanji has 2 readings:

Its onyomi readings are "Eki" and "Yaku".

kunyomi readings are based on the pronunciation of native Japanese words, and onyomi readings are based on the Chinese pronunciation of the character.

If you visually breakdown this kanji, you can see is made up of 2 parts:

The radical "彳" means "Stop" . And The radical "殳" means "Pike" .

Now, let's make sure you understand this kanji the other way around too.

What does the kanji "役" mean in japanese?

"役" means "Duty" .

Japanese School Students learn this kanji in Third Grade, while foreigners may learn this kanji in preparation for the JLPT N3 exam.

Here are some words that use this kanji:

役: "Role". 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'.

役割: "Role". The Japanese noun '役割 (やくわり)' means 'role'. It refers to the function or position someone or something has in a particular situation, group, or system. It can be used in various contexts, such as social roles, job responsibilities, or the role of an object in a process. For example: her role in the project is important「彼女のプロジェクトでの役割は重要だ」(かのじょのプロジェクトでのやくわりはじゅうようだ). Each tool has its own role「それぞれの道具には役割がある」(それぞれのどうぐにはやくわりがある). This word is often used to describe the expected behavior or contribution of a person or thing in a specific context.

役に立つ: "Useful". The Japanese verb '役に立つ (やくにたつ)' means 'to be useful' or 'to be helpful'. It is commonly used to describe something or someone that provides practical assistance or value. This verb is often used in everyday conversations to express gratitude or to acknowledge the usefulness of an object, advice, or a person. For example: This book is useful「この本は役に立つ」(このほんはやくにたつ). Your advice was very helpful「あなたのアドバイスはとても役に立った」(あなたのアドバイスはとてもやくにたった). Note that '役に立つ' is often used in its past tense form '役に立った' to indicate that something was useful in the past.

市役所: "City hall". The Japanese noun '市役所 (しやくしょ)' refers to a 'city hall' or 'municipal office'. This is the administrative center of a city where local government services are provided, such as issuing official documents, handling taxes, and managing public services. For example: I went to the city hall to register my address「市役所に住所を登録しに行きました」(しやくしょにじゅうしょをとうろくしにいきました). The city hall is located in the center of the city「市役所は市の中心にあります」(しやくしょはしのちゅうしんにあります). This term is commonly used in daily life when dealing with administrative tasks or local government matters.

区役所: "Ward office". The Japanese noun '区役所 (くやくしょ)' refers to a 'ward office', which is a local government office in Japan responsible for administrative services within a specific ward (区) of a city. These offices handle various municipal services such as residence registration, issuing certificates, and providing information on local events and regulations. For example: I went to the ward office to register my new address「新しい住所を登録するために区役所に行きました」(あたらしいじゅうしょをとうろくするためにくやくしょにいきました). The ward office is closed on weekends「区役所は週末に閉まっています」(くやくしょはしゅうまつにしまっています).

重役: "Executive". The Japanese noun '重役 (じゅうやく)' refers to a high-ranking executive or director in a company or organization. It is often used to describe someone in a position of significant responsibility and authority, such as a board member or senior manager. For example: He is an executive at a major company「彼は大手企業の重役です」(かれはおおてきぎょうのじゅうやくです). The executives held a meeting「重役たちは会議を開きました」(じゅうやくたちはかいぎをひらきました). This term is commonly used in business contexts and emphasizes the importance and seniority of the position.

主役: "Lead". The Japanese noun '主役 (しゅやく)' refers to the 'lead' or 'main role' in a performance, such as in a play, movie, or any event. It can also metaphorically describe someone who plays a central role in a situation. For example: She is the lead in the play「彼女はその劇の主役です」(かのじょはそのげきのしゅやくです). He always wants to be the main character「彼はいつも主役になりたがる」(かれはいつもしゅやくになりたがる). This term is often used in both literal and figurative contexts to denote prominence or centrality.

役所: "Government" or "Office". The Japanese noun '役所 (やくしょ)' refers to a government office or administrative building where official business is conducted. It is commonly used to describe local government offices, such as city halls or municipal offices, where services like issuing documents, handling taxes, or providing public information are carried out. For example: I went to the city office to submit documents「役所に書類を提出しに行きました」(やくしょにしょるいをていしゅつにいきました). The government office is closed on weekends「役所は週末に閉まっています」(やくしょはしゅうまつにしまっています). Note that while '役所' often refers to local government offices, it can also broadly refer to any government administrative body.

役立つ: "Useful". The Japanese verb '役立つ (やくだつ)' means 'to be useful' or 'to serve a purpose'. It is often used to describe something or someone that provides practical help or value in a specific situation. For example: This book is useful for studying「この本は勉強に役立つ」(このほんはべんきょうにやくだつ). His advice was very useful「彼のアドバイスはとても役立った」(かれのアドバイスはとてもやくだった). The verb can also be used in its negative form to indicate something is not useful, as in '役立たない (やくだたない) (not useful)'.

役員: "Executive". The Japanese noun '役員 (やくいん)' refers to an 'executive' or a 'board member' in a company or organization. It is commonly used to describe individuals who hold high-ranking positions, such as directors, officers, or managers, responsible for making important decisions. For example: He is an executive of the company「彼は会社の役員です」(かれはかいしゃのやくいんです). The board members held a meeting「役員たちは会議を開きました」(やくいんたちはかいぎをひらきました). This term is often used in formal or business contexts.

役人: "Official". The Japanese noun '役人 (やくにん)' refers to a government official or civil servant. This term is used to describe someone who works in a public office or holds a position of authority within a government organization. It can be used in various contexts, such as discussing local, national, or bureaucratic roles. For example: The official inspected the documents「役人が書類を検査した」(やくにんがしょるいをけんさした). He became a government official「彼は役人になった」(かれはやくにんになった). The term carries a neutral to formal tone and is often associated with administrative or regulatory duties.

役目: "Duty" or "Role". The Japanese noun '役目 (やくめ)' refers to a specific role or duty that someone or something is expected to fulfill. It often implies a sense of responsibility or obligation. For example: his role is to protect the family「彼の役目は家族を守ることです」(かれのやくめはかぞくをまもることです). It is my duty to finish this task「この仕事を終わらせるのが私の役目です」(このしごとをおわらせるのがわたしのやくめです). The word can be used in both formal and informal contexts, and it often carries a connotation of importance or necessity.

役者: "Actor". The Japanese noun '役者 (やくしゃ)' refers to an 'actor', someone who performs in plays, movies, or television shows. This term is commonly used in the context of theater and entertainment. For example: He is a famous actor「彼は有名な役者です」(かれはゆうめいなやくしゃです). She wants to become an actor「彼女は役者になりたい」(かのじょはやくしゃになりたい). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe someone who is skilled at pretending or acting in social situations, though this usage is less common.

現役: "Active". The Japanese noun '現役 (げんえき)' primarily means 'active' and is used to describe someone who is currently engaged in a particular role, profession, or activity. It is often used in contexts such as sports, work, or education to indicate that someone is still actively participating rather than retired or inactive. For example: He is an active player「彼は現役の選手です」(かれはげんえきのせんしゅです). She is still an active student「彼女はまだ現役の学生です」(かのじょはまだげんえきのがくせいです). The term can also imply a sense of being in one's prime or currently performing at a high level.

To make really sure you learn this Kanji, I've prepared an interactive lesson for you. You are going to learn the readings and meanings of this kanji.

But first, you need to know a little bit about Hiragana and Katakana.

Hiragana and katakana are japanese syllabaries, this means that each character represents a syllable.

This are the characters you need to know for this lesson:

The hiragana "え" is read as "e". The hiragana "き" is read as "ki". The hiragana "や" is read as "ya". And The hiragana "く" is read as "ku".

kanji

役

Meaning

Duty

Reading

onyomiえきやく

Parts

彳Stop 殳Pike

Handwriting

Example Word

役: role. 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'.

hiragana

え

Reading

Handwriting

hiragana

き

Reading

Handwriting

hiragana

や

Reading

Handwriting

hiragana

く

Reading

Handwriting