1.
to play a role; to act a part (in a performance)
To perform as a character in a play, film, or other dramatic work.
主役を演じる。
To play the lead role.
彼女は悪役を見事に演じた。
She brilliantly played the villain.
初めて映画で役を演じることになった。
I got to play a role in a film for the first time.
2.
to play a role; to fulfill a function (figuratively)
To serve a particular function or carry out a particular duty in a situation or organization. Also used for pretending to be something one is not.
重要な役を演じている。
To play an important role.
会社では良い人の役を演じている。
At the company, I play the role of a nice person.
日本はこの問題で仲介者の役を演じた。
Japan played the role of mediator in this issue.
A versatile expression used both literally (acting) and figuratively (fulfilling a function or pretending). In sense 2, it can imply either a genuine social function or a pretense — the context determines which.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 主役を演じる: to play the lead role
- 悪役を演じる: to play the villain
- 重要な役を演じる: to play an important role
- 〜の役を演じる: to play the role of
- 役を演じ切る: to play a role through to the end
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 役割を果たす: to fulfill a role — more neutral, emphasizes duty and function rather than acting
- 演技する: to act, to perform — focuses on the act of performing itself
- 扮する: to disguise oneself as; to play the part of — more literary, often used for costume roles
- 役になりきる: to completely become one's character — emphasizes total immersion in a role