悪役(あくやく)

あくやく
noun
villain role, antagonist
entertainmentperson
1. villain role, antagonist, bad guy (in a story)
The role of the villain or antagonist in a play, movie, story, or other narrative. Also refers to the actor or person playing such a role. By extension, someone who takes on an unpopular or thankless role in real life.
悪役(あくやく)を演(えん)じる。
To play the villain.
あの俳優(はいゆう)は悪役(あくやく)がよく似合(にあ)う。
That actor suits villain roles well.
部下(ぶか)に厳(きび)しく注意(ちゅうい)しなければならず、いつも悪役(あくやく)を引(ひ)き受(う)けている。
I always have to be the bad guy because I need to scold my subordinates strictly.

Usage

悪役(あくやく) primarily refers to the villain or antagonist role in dramas, movies, anime, and other narratives. It is also used figuratively for someone who takes on an unpopular role in real life, such as being the disciplinarian or delivering bad news.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 悪役(あくやく): villain role (the role or character itself)
  • 悪党(あくとう): villain, scoundrel (an actual bad person)
  • 敵役(かたきやく): antagonist role (emphasizes being the opponent)

Related Words

Compare: 悪党(あくとう) (actual villain)
Antonym: 主役(しゅやく) (lead role, protagonist)
Compare: ヒール (heel (of a shoe))
Compare: 悪者(わるもの) (villain)
general
Added 2026.2.22 14:46 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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