How to say "role" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 役やくnounA general word for 'role': a part in a play or film, or the assignment, responsibility, or duty that falls to someone. A safe choice when 'role' simply means a part or job.
- 役割やくわりnounUse this when 'role' means the part or function someone or something has in a group, activity, or system; it also covers the assigning of parts.
- nounReally means the cast of a film or play or a cast member; as 'role' it is marginal — a part viewed from the casting side. For a part itself, 役 or 役割 fits.
- 役目やくめnounCovers 'role' with the emphasis on duty — a function one is expected to fulfill. When the English stresses obligation rather than position, this fits better than 役割.
- 役柄やくがらnounPoints to the kind or nature of a role or position rather than the role itself — what sort of part it is. For plain 'role' it is seldom the word you want.
Choose 役割 for a role or function in an activity or organization, 役 for a part or duty in general, 役目 when duty is the focus, 役柄 for the kind of role one's position entails, 「キャスト」 only for casts.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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