役者（やくしゃ、yakusha）
- actor/actress

The Japanese word 役者, read as やくしゃ (yakusha), primarily means "actor" or "actress". It refers to a person who performs in plays, movies, television shows, and other forms of dramatic performance. It can also refer to a performer in traditional Japanese theater forms like Kabuki and Noh. 役者 implies someone who is skilled in the art of acting and is often a professional in the entertainment industry. The word encapsulates not just the performance aspect but also the craft, skill, and dedication associated with the profession.

⚫︎あの映画の役者はみんな上手だった。 Translation: The actors in that movie were all good. ⚫︎彼女は将来役者になりたいと思っています。 Translation: She wants to become an actress in the future. ⚫︎歌舞伎の役者は特別な訓練を受ける。 Translation: Kabuki actors receive special training.

役者 is used in various contexts where one wants to refer to an actor or actress. It is a common and widely understood term. You can use it when discussing movies, plays, television shows, or any form of dramatic performance. The word is appropriate in both formal and informal conversations, but the level of politeness will depend on the overall context and the surrounding language. For instance, when referring to the 役者 in the news, polite Japanese is usually used.

役者 is primarily written with the kanji 役者. The reading やくしゃ (yakusha) is written in hiragana. There are no other standard ways to write this word. The okurigana (送りがな) is fixed; there are no variations.

⚫︎ 俳優 (はいゆう - Haiyuu): This is another word for "actor" or "actress." It is generally used in a more formal context, especially in reference to movie and television actors. ⚫︎ 役者 is broader and can be used for actors in a wide variety of performances. ⚫︎ 女優 (じょゆう - Joyuu): Actress (female actor). ⚫︎ 男優 (だんゆう - Danyu): Actor (male actor). ⚫︎ スター (Sutaa): Star (actor or actress) - a loan word from English.

⚫︎ This word does not have a direct opposite, because there isn't a profession that is the opposite of being an actor. However, words like 観客 (かんきゃく - kankyaku, "audience") or 観客席 (かんきゃくせき - kankyaku seki, "audience seats") could be considered related.

有名な役者のサインが欲しいです。 ・Translation: I want the signature of a famous actor. ・Explanation: This sentence uses 役者 to refer to a famous actor and expresses a desire to get their signature.

彼は優れた役者ですが、歌も上手です。 ・Translation: He is an excellent actor, but he is also good at singing. ・Explanation: This sentence describes someone who is a skilled actor, highlighting their talent in the profession.

The kanji 役 (yaku) means "role," "duty," or "service," and 者 (sha) means "person." Therefore, 役者 literally means "a person who plays a role" or "a person who performs a service." This combination accurately reflects the core function of an actor, highlighting their responsibility to embody a character and deliver a performance.