助演(じょえん)

じょえん
noun
supporting role; co-starring
1. supporting role; supporting performance; co-starring
Playing a supporting role in a film, play, or other performance. Most commonly seen in the context of awards and film credits.
助演(じょえん)男優(だんゆう)賞(しょう)を受賞(じゅしょう)した。
He won the Best Supporting Actor award.
あの女優(じょゆう)は助演(じょえん)ながら強(つよ)い印象(いんしょう)を残(のこ)した。
That actress left a strong impression despite being in a supporting role.
今年(ことし)の助演(じょえん)女優(じょゆう)賞(しょう)には若手(わかて)の実力派(じつりょくは)がノミネートされている。
Talented young actresses have been nominated for this year's Best Supporting Actress award.

Compound of 助(じょ) (assist) + 演(えん) (perform). Refers to a supporting role in a film, play, or performance.

COMMON COMPOUNDS:

  • 助演(じょえん)男優(だんゆう)賞(しょう): Best Supporting Actor award
  • 助演(じょえん)女優(じょゆう)賞(しょう): Best Supporting Actress award
  • 助演(じょえん)俳優(はいゆう): supporting actor/actress

CONTRASTS:

  • 主演(しゅえん): starring role, lead role
  • 助演(じょえん): supporting role
  • 端役(はやく): minor role, bit part
  • 脇役(わきやく): supporting role (more colloquial synonym)

NOTE:
脇役(わきやく) is more commonly used in everyday conversation to mean "supporting role," while 助演(じょえん) appears mainly in award names and formal film/theater terminology.

general
Added 2026.3.20 11:41 · Revised 2026.3.31 12:18
18000/18098_joen