1.
role, part
A character or part played by an actor in a performance, film, or play.
主役の役をもらった。
I got the lead role.
彼女は悪い役ばかり演じている。
She always plays villain roles.
この映画で初めて父親の役に挑戦した。
In this film, I took on the role of a father for the first time.
2.
role, duty, position
A function, responsibility, or official position assigned to someone in a group or organization.
司会の役を任された。
I was assigned the role of emcee.
誰かがリーダーの役をやらないといけない。
Someone has to take on the role of leader.
会議では書記の役を引き受けることが多い。
I often take on the role of note-taker at meetings.
USAGE:
Sense 1 is common in theater, film, and television contexts. Sense 2 extends to any assigned function within a group. Often combined with other words to form compounds: 主役 (lead role), 脇役 (supporting role), 悪役 (villain role), 適役 (well-suited role).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 役を演じる: to play a role
- 役を引き受ける: to take on a role
- 役に立つ: to be useful
- 役を任される: to be assigned a role