role; duty; function; responsibility
Broad use for a role someone or something has, including an assigned job, a responsibility, a function, or useful service. Very common in compounds such as 調整役 and 会計役 and in phrases such as 役を果たす.
私は忘年会の会計役になった。
I was put in charge of the accounting for the year-end party.
This part serves the function of releasing heat from the machine.
Used for a role or character played in a play, film, drama, or similar performance. Common with 演じる, 務める, and names of characters or social roles.
She played the role of the mother on stage.
scoring combination; winning hand; yaku
Game term used in mahjong, hanafuda, and some card games for a recognized pattern or combination that scores points or makes a hand valid. Often left as “yaku” in English discussions of mahjong.
In mahjong, you cannot win with a hand that has no yaku.
He played the role of the protagonist.
This hand has a valid yaku for the riichi call.
She served in the role of chairperson for the meeting.
He fulfilled his role as a mediator.
The director gave the newcomer an important role.
He was chosen for the role of the hero.
director; executive · officer; official; person in charge
leading role; star; lead
actor; actress; performer · clever person; man of wits; cunning fellow
duty; role; function
government office; public office
government official; public servant; bureaucrat
villain; baddie; villain's role
post; position; official role · managerial position; executive role
child actor; child actress · child's role; child's part
substitute; stand-in; understudy; double
town hall; village office; local government office
company director; executive; top management · important post; role with heavy responsibilities
put to use; make use of; utilize
supporting role; minor role
role; part; contribution
casting; cast
role; part; character
advisor; counselor
role; part; assignment
important task; important role; great duty · major part; leading role · high-scoring combination
male role; male part
assistant official; deputy mayor
villain role; antagonist; bad guy
assigned role; duty; position · suitable role; best-suited job
superior; boss; higher-up
official title; name of a role
cargo handling; loading and unloading