Translation and Meaning of: 役 - eki

The Japanese word 役[えき] (eki) is a versatile term frequently used in everyday life in Japan. If you are studying Japanese or just curious about the meaning and use of this word, this article will explore its basic translation as well as relevant cultural contexts. Here at Suki Nihongo, we always strive to provide clear and practical explanations for those who want to master the language.

Meaning and translation of 役[えき]

In its simplest form, 役[えき] can be translated as "function," "role," or "service." Depending on the context, it can also mean "benefit" or "utility." This word is often used in everyday situations, such as in jobs, tasks, or even in discussions about the importance of something.

A common example is the expression 役に立つ (やくにたつ - yaku ni tatsu), which means "to be useful" or "to serve a purpose." This phrase is widely used in Japan, both in professional and informal settings, demonstrating how the term is deeply rooted in daily communication.

Origin and writing of the kanji 役

The kanji 役 is composed of the radical 彳 (which indicates movement or path) and the component 殳 (related to actions or blows). This combination suggests the idea of a function that involves movement or activity, reinforcing the meaning of "role" or "task." The pronunciation えき (eki) is one of the kun'yomi readings, commonly used in native Japanese words.

It is worth noting that 役 can also be read as "yaku" in other contexts, such as in 役者 (yakusha - actor) or 役所 (yakusho - public office). This variation in reading is common in Japanese and requires students' attention to avoid confusing the uses.

How to memorize and use 役[えき] in daily life

A practical tip to the meaning of 役 is to associate it with situations where something or someone has a specific role. For example, think of an actor (役者) who plays an important part in a play. This image can help reinforce the concept of "function" or "service".

Additionally, try using the word in simple sentences, such as この本は役に立つ (kono hon wa yaku ni tatsu - "This book is useful"). The more you practice in real contexts, the more natural your learning will be. Japanese is a language that values practical application, so don't be afraid to test your knowledge.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

  • 役割 (yakuwari) - Role; function
  • 任務 (ninmu) - Mission; task
  • 使命 (shimei) - Mission; duty (more oriented towards moral or ethical meaning)
  • 職務 (shokumu) - Duty; professional responsibility
  • 仕事 (shigoto) - Work; occupation
  • 任せ (makase) - Delegation; trusting someone to do something
  • 任せる (makaseru) - Delegate; to trust someone

Related words

役目

yakume

duty; business

役割

yakuwari

part; role; duties

役者

yakusha

actor actress

役所

yakusho

Government Office; public office

役職

yakushoku

post; managerial position; official position

役立つ

yakudatsu

be useful; help; achieve the goal.

役人

yakunin

government official

役場

yakuba

town hall

主役

shuyaku

main part; Leader actor (actress)

重役

omoyaku

great responsibilities; director

Romaji: eki
Kana: えき
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: war; campaign; battle

Meaning in English: war;campaign;battle

Definition: Yaku means to fulfill a certain position or duty.

Quick Access
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Sentences

How to Write in Japanese - (役) eki

See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (役) eki:

Example Sentences - (役) eki

See below some example sentences:

数字は重要な役割を果たします。

Sūji wa jūyōna yakuwari o hatashimasu

Numbers play an important role.

  • 数字 (suuji) - means "number" in Japanese
  • は (wa) - Japanese topic particle
  • 重要な (juuyou na) - 重要 (じゅうよう)
  • 役割 (yakuwari) - means "role" or "function" in Japanese
  • を (wo) - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
  • 果たします (hatashimasu) - verb meaning "to perform" or "to fulfill" in Japanese
昆虫は自然の中でとても重要な役割を果たしています。

Kunchū wa shizen no naka de totemo jūyōna yakuwari o hatashite imasu

Insects play a very important role in nature.

  • 昆虫 (konchuu) - Insects
  • は (wa) - Topic particle
  • 自然 (shizen) - nature
  • の (no) - Possession particle
  • 中で (chuu de) - Inside of
  • とても (totemo) - very
  • 重要な (juuyou na) - important
  • 役割を果たしています (yakuwari wo hatashite imasu) - play a role
民間企業は経済の発展に重要な役割を果たしています。

Minkan kigyou wa keizai no hatten ni juuyou na yakuwari wo hatashite imasu

Private companies play an important role in the development of the economy.

  • 民間企業 - Private companies
  • は - Topic particle
  • 経済 - economy
  • の - Possession particle
  • 発展 - development
  • に - target particle
  • 重要 - important
  • な - adjective particle
  • 役割 - role/function
  • を - direct object particle
  • 果たしています - perform (verb)
海運は国際貿易にとって重要な役割を果たしています。

Kaiun wa kokusai bōeki ni totte jūyōna yakuwari o hatashite imasu

Maritime transport plays an important role in international trade.

The transport of water plays an important role in international trade.

  • 海運 (kaigun) - Maritime transport
  • 国際貿易 (kokusai boueki) - international trade
  • にとって (ni totte) - for
  • 重要な (juuyou na) - important
  • 役割 (yakuwari) - role/function
  • を果たしています (o hatashite imasu) - performs
牧師は教会で礼拝を導く役割を持っています。

Bokushi wa kyoukai de raihai o michibiku yakuwari o motte imasu

The pastor has the role of leading the cult in the church.

The pastor has the role of guiding the cult in the church.

  • 牧師 - pastor
  • は - Topic particle
  • 教会 - church
  • で - Location particle
  • 礼拝 - cult
  • を - direct object particle
  • 導く - lead, guide
  • 役割 - Paper, function
  • を - direct object particle
  • 持っています - Land, possess
百科事典は知識を広げるために役立ちます。

Bekka jiten wa chishiki o hirogeru tame ni yakuchimashita

The encyclopedia is useful to expand knowledge.

  • 百科事典 - Encyclopedia
  • は - Topic particle
  • 知識 - Knowledge
  • を - Direct object particle
  • 広げる - expand
  • ために - For
  • 役立ちます - To be useful
県庁には多くの役人が働いています。

Kencho ni wa ooku no yakunin ga hataraite imasu

Many employees work in the city hall office.

  • 県庁 - provincial government building
  • に - particle indicating location
  • は - Topic particle
  • 多く - many
  • の - Possession particle
  • 役人 - civil servants
  • が - subject particle
  • 働いています - are working
私の役職はマネージャーです。

Watashi no yakushoku wa manējā desu

My position is manager.

  • 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
  • の - particle that indicates possession, equivalent to "of"
  • 役職 - noun meaning "office" or "position"
  • は - particle indicating the topic of the sentence, equivalent to "is"
  • マネージャー - noun meaning "manager"
  • です - verb that indicates to be or to exist, equivalent to "is"
脇役は重要な役割を果たします。

Wakiyaku wa juuyou na yakuwari wo hatashimasu

role plays an important role.

  • 脇役 - ing character
  • は - Topic particle
  • 重要な - important
  • 役割 - Paper, function
  • を - direct object particle
  • 果たします - perform, fulfill
舞台は役者たちの人生の一部です。

Butai wa yakushatachi no jinsei no ichibu desu

The stage is part of the lives of actors.

  • 舞台 (butai) - stage
  • は (wa) - Topic particle
  • 役者 (yakusha) - actors/actresses
  • たち (tachi) - suffix to indicate plurality
  • の (no) - Possession particle
  • 人生 (jinsei) - life
  • の (no) - Possession particle
  • 一部 (ichibu) - part
  • です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

Other Words of this Type: noun

See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun

温度

ondo

temperature

一定

ichijyou

fixed; established; definitive; uniform; regularized; defined; standardized; right; prescribed

wan

bowl

間柄

aidagara

relationship(ship)

焦げ茶

kogecha

black tea