Readings: ヤク, エキ (Onyomi), (Kunyomi)
Meaning: role, duty, service, office
The kanji 役 originally depicted a person (彳) holding a weapon or tool (殳), signifying service, duty, or an assigned task. Over time, its meaning evolved to represent roles, duties, and functions.
View JLPT N3 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 役 has 7 strokes. It is composed of the 彳 (gyōninben) radical on the left and the 殳 (ru) component on the right. Pay attention to the correct stroke order and direction for each component.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 彳 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 7 |
| JLPT Level | N3 |
| Grade | 3 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- ヤク (yaku)
- エキ (eki)
Common Words Using 役
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 役割 | やくわり | role, part |
| 役者 | やくしゃ | actor, actress |
| 役立つ | やくだつ | to be useful, to be helpful |
| 役に立つ | やくにたつ | to be useful, to be helpful |
| 主役 | しゅやく | main role, protagonist |
| 役所 | やくしょ | public office, government office |
| 役人 | やくにん | public official, civil servant |
| 兵役 | へいえき | military service |
| 現役 | げんえき | active duty, active service |
| 役目 | やくめ | duty, role, function |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 彼の役割はチームのリーダーです。
Kana: かれのやくわりはチームのリーダーです。
Romaji: Kare no yakuwari wa chīmu no rīdā desu.
English: His role is the team leader of the team.
Japanese: この道具はとても役に立ちます。
Kana: このどうぐはとてもやくにたちます。
Romaji: Kono dōgu wa totemo yaku ni tachimasu.
English: This tool is very useful.
Japanese: 彼女は映画で主役を演じた。
Kana: かのじょはえいがでしゅやくをえんじた。
Romaji: Kanojo wa eiga de shuyaku o enjita.
English: She played the main role in the movie.
Japanese: 市役所は駅から近いです。
Kana: しやくしょはえきからちかいです。
Romaji: Shiyakusho wa eki kara chikai desu.
English: The city hall is close to the station.
Japanese: 彼はまだ現役の教師だ。
Kana: かれはまだげんえきのきょうしだ。
Romaji: Kare wa mada gen’eki no kyōshi da.
English: He is still an active teacher.
Japanese: 自分の役目を果たさなければならない。
Kana: じぶんのやくめをはたさなければならない。
Romaji: Jibun no yakume o hatasanakereba naranai.
English: I must fulfill my duty.
Japanese: 彼は経験豊かな役者だ。
Kana: かれはけいけんゆたかなやくしゃだ。
Romaji: Kare wa keiken yutakana yakusha da.
English: He is an experienced actor.
Japanese: その本は勉強に役立った。
Kana: そのほんはべんきょうにやくだった。
Romaji: Sono hon wa benkyō ni yakudatta.
English: That book was useful for studying.
Japanese: 重要な役職に就く。
Kana: じゅうようなやくしょくにつく。
Romaji: Jūyō na yakushoku ni tsuku.
English: To take on an important position.
Japanese: 公共の役に立つ仕事。
Kana: こうきょうのやくにたつしごと。
Romaji: Kōkyō no yaku ni tatsu shigoto.
English: Work that benefits the public.
Related Grammar & kanji list
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