(やく)どころ

やくどころ
noun
role; part (in a play or situation)
1. role; part (in a play, film, or performance)
The specific character or part that an actor plays. Implies the nature and importance of the role.
(むずか)しい(やく)どころだ。
It's a difficult role.
今回(こんかい)映画(えいが)では悪役(あくやく)(やく)どころだ。
In this movie, I play the villain's role.
あの俳優(はいゆう)主人公(しゅじんこう)親友(しんゆう)という重要(じゅうよう)(やく)どころを(えん)じた。
That actor played the important role of the protagonist's best friend.
2. role; function; part to play (in a situation)
One's role or expected function in a group, project, or situation. Used figuratively beyond the performing arts.
チームでの自分(じぶん)(やく)どころを(かんが)えた。
I thought about my role on the team.
この会議(かいぎ)での(わたし)(やく)どころは進行(しんこう)だ。
My role in this meeting is to facilitate.
(かれ)はプロジェクトの(なか)調整役(ちょうせいやく)という(やく)どころを(にな)っている。
He plays the role of coordinator in the project.

(やく)どころ originally comes from theater and film but is commonly used in everyday contexts to talk about one's function or expected contribution.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • (やく)どころを(えん)じる — to play a role
  • (やく)どころを(にな)う — to take on a role
  • 重要(じゅうよう)(やく)どころ — an important role
  • (むずか)しい(やく)どころ — a difficult role

RELATED WORDS:

  • 役割(やくわり) — role, function
  • 配役(はいやく) — casting, role assignment
  • 出番(でばん) — one's turn to appear