顔役(かおやく)

かおやく
noun
influential person; local boss; prominent figure
1. influential person; local boss; prominent figure
a person who holds power or influence in a community, organization, or industry, often through personal connections rather than official position
彼(かれ)はこの町(まち)の顔役(かおやく)だ。
He's the big shot of this town.
地元(じもと)の顔役(かおやく)に挨拶(あいさつ)に行(い)った。
I went to pay my respects to the local bigwig.
業界(ぎょうかい)の顔役(かおやく)として知(し)られる彼(かれ)は、若(わか)い経営者(けいえいしゃ)たちの相談役(そうだんやく)でもある。
Known as a prominent figure in the industry, he also serves as an advisor to young business owners.

Combines 顔(かお) (face) and 役(やく) (role). The word literally suggests someone whose face (identity, presence) carries weight. It can have positive connotations (respected community leader) or negative ones (local power broker, person with underworld connections), depending on context.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 地元(じもと)の顔役(かおやく): local boss; community leader
  • 業界(ぎょうかい)の顔役(かおやく): industry heavyweight
  • 顔役(かおやく)として知(し)られる: known as a prominent figure
  • 顔役(かおやく)を務(つと)める: to serve as a leading figure

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • ボス: boss — a loanword with similar meaning but more casual
  • 有力者(ゆうりょくしゃ): influential person — more formal and neutral, without the colorful connotation
  • 実力者(じつりょくしゃ): person of real power — emphasizes actual capability and influence behind the scenes
general
Added 2026.4.23 20:25
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