はまり役やく

は

ま

り

や

く

Meanings

perfect role; well-suited role

Refers to a role in a play, film, or other performance that fits an actor perfectly, as if they were born to play it. Also used figuratively for any task or position that suits someone exceptionally well.

彼かれはその映えい画がで、まさにはまり役やくを演えんじた。
He played a perfect role for him in that movie.
この仕し事ごとは彼かの女じょにとってはまり役やくだと思おもう。
I think this job is a perfect fit for her.

Kanji

役duty, war, campaign
嵌go into, plunge, inlay
填fill in

Related words

当あたり役やく
当たり役 highlights that the role became a career-defining hit, while はまり役 emphasizes that the role fits the actor's persona perfectly.

Written forms

はまり役やくUsage89%
Standard kana-kanji mixed spelling; the most common written form.
ハマり役やくUsage11%
Katakana variant often used for emphasis or in informal writing.
嵌はまり役やく
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form; the kanji 嵌 is not common in modern Japanese.
填はまり役やく
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form; the kanji 填 is not common in modern Japanese.

Etymology

Compound of はまり (continuative form of はまる 'to fit perfectly') + 役 (role). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word likely emerged from theatrical or entertainment contexts.