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What is the Kanji for 'Duty'? | 役

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.

    kanji

    役

    Meaning

    Duty

    Reading

    onyomiえき

    eki

    やく

    yaku

    Parts

    彳Stop 殳Pike

    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'.

    Radical

    彳

    Stroke Count

    7

    JLPT

    N3

    Grade

    3

    Frequency

    354

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji 役

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

    radical

    彳

    Meaning

    Stop

    radical

    殳

    Meaning

    Pike

Words Using 役

This kanji is used in 14 words:

    word

    主役

    Meaning

    Lead

    word

    区役所

    Meaning

    Ward office

    word

    役立つ

    Meaning

    Useful

    word

    役に立つ

    Meaning

    Useful

    word

    役

    Meaning

    Role

    word

    役目

    Meaning

    Duty, Role

    word

    重役

    Meaning

    Executive

    word

    役者

    Meaning

    Actor

    word

    役割

    Meaning

    Role

    word

    役人

    Meaning

    Official

    word

    現役

    Meaning

    Active

    word

    市役所

    Meaning

    City hall

    word

    役所

    Meaning

    Government, Office

    word

    役員

    Meaning

    Executive

Kanji Related to 役 Through the Part 彳

These 19 kanji contain the part 彳 as well.

    kanji

    彼

    Meaning

    Third person pronoun, He

    kanji

    徐

    Meaning

    Slowly, Gradually

    kanji

    行

    Meaning

    Go

    kanji

    待

    Meaning

    Wait

    kanji

    徴

    Meaning

    Levy, Symptom

    kanji

    徒

    Meaning

    Follower, Junior

    kanji

    徳

    Meaning

    Virtue

    kanji

    後

    Meaning

    After, Behind

    kanji

    復

    Meaning

    Restore

    kanji

    径

    Meaning

    Path, Diameter

    kanji

    得

    Meaning

    Acquire

    kanji

    律

    Meaning

    Law, Rhythm

    kanji

    徹

    Meaning

    Penetrate, Go through

    kanji

    征

    Meaning

    Subjugate

    kanji

    循

    Meaning

    Circulate, Sequential

    kanji

    微

    Meaning

    Slight, Delicate

    kanji

    御

    Meaning

    Honorable, General honorific term

    kanji

    従

    Meaning

    Follow, Obey

    kanji

    往

    Meaning

    Journey, Go on

Kanji Related to 役 Through the Part 殳

These 14 kanji contain the part 殳 as well.

    kanji

    設

    Meaning

    Set up, Establish

    kanji

    撃

    Meaning

    Beat, Strike

    kanji

    殻

    Meaning

    Shell, Husk

    kanji

    没

    Meaning

    Sink, Drown

    kanji

    段

    Meaning

    Step, Stairs

    kanji

    殺

    Meaning

    Kill

    kanji

    殿

    Meaning

    Palace, Formal honorific title

    kanji

    股

    Meaning

    Crotch, Thigh

    kanji

    投

    Meaning

    Throw

    kanji

    穀

    Meaning

    Grain, Cereal

    kanji

    般

    Meaning

    Sort, Carrier

    kanji

    殴

    Meaning

    Beat, Assault

    kanji

    疫

    Meaning

    Epidemic

    kanji

    毀

    Meaning

    Break

Learn the Kanji 役

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 役 mean?

役 means 'Duty'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Third Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N3 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.