主役(しゅやく)

しゅやく
noun
leading role, protagonist
1. leading role, main character, protagonist
The main character or leading actor in a play, film, or story.
この映画(えいが)で主役(しゅやく)を演(えん)じた。
I played the leading role in this movie.
主役(しゅやく)のオーディションを受(う)けた。
I auditioned for the lead role.
若手(わかて)俳優(はいゆう)が主役(しゅやく)に抜擢(ばってき)されて話題(わだい)になった。
A young actor was chosen for the leading role and it became a hot topic.
2. central figure, main player
Figuratively, the most important person in a situation or event.
今日(きょう)の主役(しゅやく)は誕生日(たんじょうび)の彼女(かのじょ)だ。
Today's star is the birthday girl.
Figurative usage
この試合(しあい)の主役(しゅやく)は間違(まちが)いなく彼(かれ)だった。
He was without a doubt the star of this game.
Figurative usage
結婚式(けっこんしき)では新郎(しんろう)新婦(しんぷ)が主役(しゅやく)なのだから、招待客(しょうたいきゃく)は二人(ふたり)を引(ひ)き立(た)てるようにしよう。
Since the bride and groom are the main figures at a wedding, guests should try to make them shine.
Figurative usage

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 主役(しゅやく)を演(えん)じる (to play the lead role)
  • 主役(しゅやく)を務(つと)める (to serve as the lead)
  • 主役(しゅやく)になる (to become the main character/central figure)
  • 主役(しゅやく)を張(は)る (to take the lead role)

OPPOSITE:

  • 脇役(わきやく) - supporting role, supporting actor
  • 端役(はやく) - minor role, bit part

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 主人公(しゅじんこう) - protagonist, main character (of a story)

[Register: Neutral]

general
Added 2026.1.13 22:58 · Revised 2026.3.3 12:27
04000/04199_shuyaku