zuru verb, transitive verb
act a part; play a role
Used for acting in a play, film, or drama; also for playing a social role. Often interchangeable with 演じる, but 演ずる can sound more formal.
See also: 演じる
彼は舞台でハムレットを演ずる。
He plays Hamlet on stage.
会議ではいつも冷静な
He always plays the role of the calm one in meetings.
zuru verb, transitive verb
perform; put on a production
Refers to staging a play, concert, or show. Focuses on the act of presenting a performance.
この劇団は毎年シェイクスピアを演ずる。
This theater company performs Shakespeare every year.
zuru verb, transitive verb
commit a blunder; pretend; disgrace oneself
Used in set phrases like 失態を演ずる (commit a blunder) or 醜態を演ずる (disgrace oneself). The 'pretend' sense is less common and often appears with nouns like 父親役 (role of a father).
彼は会議で失態を演じてしまった。
He committed a blunder at the meeting.
酔って醜態を演ずるのは避けたい。
I want to avoid disgracing myself by getting drunk.