脇 役(わきやく)

わきやく

noun

supporting role; supporting actor

1. supporting role, supporting actor, secondary part

A secondary or supporting role in a play, film, or other performance, as opposed to the lead. Also used figuratively for someone who plays a secondary or supporting part in any situation.

彼(かれ)は脇役(わきやく)ながら存在感(そんざいかん)がある。

Despite being in a supporting role, he has a strong presence.

この映画(えいが)は脇役(わきやく)の演技(えんぎ)が光(ひか)っている。

The supporting actors' performances shine in this film.

主役(しゅやく)を引(ひ)き立(た)てるのが脇役(わきやく)の仕事(しごと)だが、時(とき)には脇役(わきやく)が物語(ものがたり)を動(うご)かすこともある。

The supporting actor's job is to make the lead shine, but sometimes the supporting cast drives the story.

Usage

Also used figuratively outside of entertainment — for example, someone who plays a secondary role in a project or event. The figurative use is not necessarily negative.

Common collocations

脇役(わきやく)を演(えん)じる (play a supporting role)
脇役(わきやく)に徹(てっ)する (commit fully to a supporting role)
脇役(わきやく)ながら (though in a supporting role)

Similar words

主役(しゅやく): lead role, protagonist (opposite of 脇役(わきやく))
端役(はやく): bit part, minor role (even smaller than 脇役(わきやく))
助演(じょえん): supporting performance (used in award categories like 助演(じょえん)男優(だんゆう)賞(しょう))

Related Words

Antonym: 主役(しゅやく) (leading role)

Compare: 端役(はやく) (bit part, minor role)

Compare: 助演(じょえん) (supporting performance)

Related: 助演男優(じょえんだんゆう) (supporting actor (male))

Related: 助演(じょえん)女優(じょゆう) (supporting actress)

general

Added 2026.2.27 16:07 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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