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]

Related Words

Antonym: 脇役(わきやく) (supporting role)

Synonym: 主人公(しゅじんこう) (protagonist (fiction))

Antonym: 悪役(あくやく) (villain role)

general

Added 2026.1.13 22:58 · Revised 2026.5.30 6:12

04000/04199_shuyaku