代役|だいやくdaiyaku[0]heiban (flat)

1. nounsubstitute (actor); stand-in; fill-in; understudy; double
   彼かれは父親ちちおやの代役だいやくをした。↗

   He was substituted for his father.

• Synonym代わりかわりNeutralThe broadest word for substitution or a replacement, usable in almost any context; 「代役」 is specific to taking over someone's role or duties.
• Synonym替え玉かえだまNeutralA person who passes themselves off as someone else, or a second helping of ramen noodles; carries a sense of deception, while 「代役」 is a legitimate stand-in.
• Synonym身代わりみがわりNeutralSubstituting for another person, often taking their place in danger or as a scapegoat, as in 「身代わりになる」; not specifically about playing a role.
• SynonymピンチヒッターNeutralLoanword originally meaning a pinch hitter in baseball, used figuratively for a temporary stand-in in an emergency; 「代役」 is more general.
• Synonym影武者かげむしゃNeutralOriginally the body double of a feudal warlord, now figuratively someone who acts for another behind the scenes; carries a secretive nuance.
• Synonym代人だいにんWrittenA deputy or proxy; found in written/formal prose and used infrequently.
• Synonym代理だいりNeutralActing or standing in for someone in a post, as in 「部長代理」; centers on deputizing in a job, while 「代役」 is mostly used for performances.
• Synonym代り役かわりやくNeutralA substitute actor; synonymous with 「代役」 but used less often.
• Related補欠ほけつNeutralA reserve or alternate, as in 「補欠選手」; emphasizes the status of being a candidate on standby rather than actually standing in.
• Related吹き替えふきかえNeutralDubbing, and by extension a stand-in actor; in modern usage mostly refers to dubbing foreign films.
• Related代替だいたいNeutralReplacing a person or thing with another, as in 「代替案」 or 「役割を代替する」; stresses functional substitution, not specifically performing in someone's role.
• Related控えひかえNeutralA reserve person or spare item, also a copy or stub; emphasizes being kept ready for use at any time.
• Related代行だいこうNeutralPerforming duties on someone's behalf, as in 「社長代行」 or 「運転代行」; focuses on handling business for them.
• Related代理人だいりにんNeutralA person who acts or appears on another's behalf; in law, one with 「代理権」. Focuses on handling affairs, not on performing a role.
• RelatedスタントマンNeutralLoanword for a male stunt double who performs dangerous scenes; 「代役」 is not limited to dangerous scenes.
• RelatedスタンドインNeutralLoanword for a stand-in who acts or takes an actor's position during filming; also a ball hit into the outfield stands in baseball. In everyday speech say 「代役」.
• RelatedスタントウーマンNeutralLoanword for a female stunt double; performs only dangerous scenes.
• Related代理者だいりしゃFormalA person who handles another's work on their behalf; centers on standing in for duties, and is formal in tone.
• Related代員だいいんFormalSomeone who carries out another's business in their place; very rare — say 「代理」 in everyday speech.

Use 「代役」 when someone takes over the role or task of the person originally scheduled, especially in a performance. For substitution in general say 「代わり」; for deputizing in a job or duty say 「代理」 or 「代行」; for doubles in dangerous scenes say 「スタントマン」. 「替え玉」 and 「影武者」 add nuances of deception or secrecy, while 「補欠」 and 「控え」 are reserves kept on standby.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. ある役やくの人ひとに代かわってその役やくを務つとめること。また、その人ひと。