主役（しゅやく、shuyaku）
- leading role

The Japanese word 主役 (しゅやく) means "the leading role," "the main character," or "the protagonist." It refers to the most important person or element in a story, play, movie, or any other type of narrative or event. It can also refer to the person who is the center of attention. It signifies the individual or thing that drives the plot or action forward and around whom the story revolves. 主役’s significance often stems from their actions, decisions, and impact on others.

⚫︎ 映画の主役は誰ですか？ Translation: Who is the main character in the movie? ⚫︎ 彼女はドラマの主役を演じた。 Translation: She played the leading role in the drama. ⚫︎ このイベントの主役は子供たちだ。 Translation: The main focus of this event is the children.

You can use 主役 when discussing the most important character in a story, the person at the center of an event, or the main subject of a discussion. It's suitable for formal and informal contexts. It’s useful in conversations about movies, books, plays, or even describing someone who is the center of attention in a social gathering.

主役 is typically written with the kanji 主 (しゅ - main) and 役 (やく - role). The reading is しゅやく in hiragana. There are no other common ways to write this word, and the okurigana (suffix hiragana) is consistent.

⚫︎ 主人公 (しゅじんこう) - protagonist, main character ⚫︎ 主演 (しゅえん) - leading role (actor) ⚫︎ メイン (mein) - main (borrowed from English, often used in informal settings) ⚫︎ キーパーソン (kiipāson) - key person (borrowed from English)

⚫︎ 脇役 (わきやく) - supporting role, supporting character ⚫︎ 端役 (はやく) - minor role, extra

この小説の主役は、困難を乗り越える少女です。 ・Translation: The main character of this novel is a girl who overcomes difficulties. ・Explanation: This sentence uses 主役 to identify the central character and their role in the story’s plot.

彼はそのプロジェクトの主役として、チームを率いた。 ・Translation: He led the team as the main person in charge of that project. ・Explanation: This sentence uses 主役 to describe someone who has a central role in a project or event.

The word 主役 is a compound word. 主 (しゅ) means "main" or "principal," and 役 (やく) means "role" or "part." Therefore, the literal meaning is "main role." The combination reflects the importance of the individual or thing taking the primary role in any given situation.