役目(やくめ)

役目(やくめ) refers to duties, roles, or functions assigned to someone or something.

Common collocations:

• 役目(やくめ)を果(は)たす (to fulfill one's duty/role)
• 役目(やくめ)を終(お)える (to complete one's role)
• 役目(やくめ)を任(まか)される (to be entrusted with a role)
• 〜の役目(やくめ)がある (to have the function of ~)

Related terms:

• 役割(やくわり) (role - similar but more commonly used for roles in society/relationships)
• 任務(にんむ) (duty, mission - more formal)
• 職務(しょくむ) (official duties)
• 務(つと)め (duty, service)

Contrast:

• 役目(やくめ) emphasizes the specific task or function
• 役割(やくわり) emphasizes the position or part one plays