役者
Meanings
General term for a stage or screen actor. Often used in compound expressions like 役者不足 (shortage of actors) or 役者根性 (actor's temperament). Compare 俳優, which is more formal and commonly used for film/TV actors.
See also: 俳優
He is famous as a stage actor.
That actor's performance is very natural.
clever person; man of wits; cunning fellow
Figurative use referring to someone who is shrewd, resourceful, or good at playing a role in social situations. Often implies a degree of cunning or theatricality in real life. Can be used in phrases like 役者が一枚上 (one level above in cleverness).
He's quite a clever operator and negotiates skillfully.
That politician is a real performer (a cunning fellow).
Usage patterns
- 役者になるto become an actor
He became an actor after graduating high school.
- なかなかの役者だto be quite the shrewd operator (about a cunning or theatrical person)
He turns out to be quite the shrewd operator when it comes to negotiations.
- 役者が舞台に立つfor an actor to appear/perform on stage
That actor performs on stage every night.
- 役者が一枚上だto be one step more cunning/skillful (than someone else)
This time, she proved to be one step more cunning than him.