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役割 — meaning in English: role

yakuwari · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for role
救済策
kyūsaisaku
エグゼクティブ
eguzekutibu
紛争
funso
役割
yakuwari
いとこ
itoko
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neutral common
Usage
Native speakers often use 役割 (yakuwari) in both personal and professional contexts. For instance, during a team meeting, someone might discuss their 役割 in a project, highlighting what responsibilities they hold. Additionally, in family settings, parents may describe their 役割 in raising children, emphasizing the importance of each family member's contribution.
Synonyms & nuances
A close synonym is 役目 (yakume), which also means 'role' or 'duty', but 役割 (yakuwari) often implies a more defined position within a larger framework, such as in organizations or families. When discussing specific responsibilities, 役割 may be the preferred term as it conveys a sense of official capacity.
Culture
The word 役割 (yakuwari) has its roots in the kanji roles '役' (yaku) meaning 'duty' or 'role' and '割' (wari) meaning 'division' or 'split'. In Japanese culture, roles are deeply ingrained in social structure, emphasizing both individual responsibilities and collective harmony. Thus, understanding one's 役割 is seen as essential for maintaining balance and respect within groups.
FAQ
Q.What does 役割 mean in English?
役割 (yakuwari) translates to 'role' in English, referring to a person's function or responsibility within a specific context, such as work or family.
Q.How do you use 役割 in a sentence?
You can use 役割 in a sentence like: '私の役割はプロジェクトを管理することです' (Watashi no yakuwari wa purojekuto o kanrisuru koto desu), meaning 'My role is to manage the project.'
Q.Are there common mistakes when using 役割?
A common mistake is to confuse 役割 with similar words like 役目 (yakume). While both denote roles, 役割 is more about defined positions, whereas 役目 leans towards duties and tasks.
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