The Meaning of shuyaku [主役] In Japanese

主役
しゅやく
Romaji: shuyaku N3

What does 主役 mean?

Translation and Meaning

main role, protagonist, leading character

Definition

What does 主役 mean? It denotes the central character or performer in a work who drives the narrative and receives the most focus and screen time, serving as the story’s focal point.

Type

Noun (名詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • Protagonist or main character in a story, film, manga, or game.
  • Lead actor or actress who plays the central role in a production.
  • Figurative use for the central figure or main person in a situation or event.

Composition

  • 主: main, principal
  • 役: role, duty
  • Combined: a term for the central character or person who carries the primary role in a story or performance

Usage

Used to label the central figure in media and events; in formal writing and reviews it appears as 主役; in casual speech you may hear phrases such as 彼が主役だ (kare ga shuyaku da) or 主役を演じる (shuyaku o enjiru).
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: imagine 主 as the ‘main’ boss on stage, and 役 as the ‘role’ they play; together they cue the idea of the person who carries the lead in a performance.

Variations

  • 主演 (shuen) – leading role, main star
  • 脇役 (waki-yaku) – supporting role
  • 端役 (tanyaku) – minor role
  • 主要人物 (shuyō jinbutsu) – key figure

Example Phrases

  • 今日は 映画の 主役を 誰が 演じるか 話した。
    Kyou wa eiga no shuyaku o dare ga enji-ru ka hanashi-ta.
    Today we talked about who would play the lead in the movie.
    Lista:
    • 今日は (Kyou wa) – today
    • 映画の (eiga no) – of the movie
    • 主役を (shuyaku o) – the lead (object marker)
    • 誰が (dare ga) – who (subject marker)
    • 演じるか (enji-ru ka) – will play
    • 話した (hanashi-ta) – talked
    「主役」 means the lead character; here it is the object of 演じる, to play the lead.
主役