role / duty
N3- Onyomi
- ヤク
- Stroke count
- 7
- JLPT
- N3
Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.
Memory tip
Picture a page ruled into a ledger table: that is what 役 means — role / duty. Now find the part that anchors it in the character itself, 彳 (step / going) — the left half of a crossroads, where people walk, and beside it 殳 (action / tool) — a hand swinging a tool. Drop that part into the picture and the shape stops being something separate to memorise.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 7
General writing tips
These general rules have exceptions. Follow the animation and numbered frames for this character.
- •上から下へ書きます。Write from top to bottom.
- •左から右へ書きます。Write from left to right.
- •横の画を先に、縦の画を後に書きます。Write horizontal strokes before the vertical strokes that cross them.
- •外側の囲みを先に書き、中を後で書きます。Draw an outer enclosure first, then fill in what is inside.
- •中央を先に、左右を後に書きます。In symmetric shapes, write the centre before the left and right sides.
- •この漢字は7画です。下の練習エリアで順番に書いてみましょう。This kanji has 7 strokes — trace them in order in the practice area below.
Step by step
Practice Writing
Free writing practice — compare your writing with the example. This canvas does not check your shape or stroke order. Draw with a mouse, finger, or pen; scroll outside the square to move down the page.
Trace the faded character, or hide the outline to practise from memory.
Writing Tips
- Follow the order strictly: top-to-bottom and left-to-right. Correct order makes the shape balanced and natural.
- Keep each stroke in one smooth motion — don't lift the pen in the middle of a stroke.
- Close enclosing strokes cleanly so the character does not look open or broken.
- Common mistake: drawing strokes bottom-to-top or right-to-left. Even if the result looks similar, the wrong order shows in handwriting and makes it harder to read.
Example words
役員
yakuin
executive
進行役
shinkouyaku
facilitator role
役に立つ
yakunitatsu
to be useful
役に立って
yakunitatte
be useful — te-form
役に立ちます
yakunitachimasu
be useful — polite present
役に立たない
yakunitatanai
be useful — plain negative
Example sentences (5)
この辞書はとても役に立ちます。
この じしょ は とても やく に たちます。
kono jisho wa totemo yaku ni tachimasu.
This dictionary is very useful.
教室で習った言葉が、仕事で役に立つようになりました。
きょうしつ で ならった ことば が、しごと で やく に たつ よう に なりました。
kyoushitsu de naratta kotoba ga, shigoto de yaku ni tatsu you ni narimashita.
The words I learned in class have become useful at work.
帰国する前に、市役所で手続きをしておく必要があります。
きこく する まえ に、しやくしょ で てつづき を して おく ひつよう が あります。
kikoku suru mae ni, shiyakusho de tetsuzuki o shite oku hitsuyou ga arimasu.
Before returning to your country, you need to complete procedures at the city hall.
大学で研究していたことが、今の仕事に役立っています。
だいがく で けんきゅう していた こと が、いま の しごと に やくだっています。
daigaku de kenkyuu shiteita koto ga, ima no shigoto ni yakudatteimasu.
What I researched at university is useful in my current job.
申請に必要なものを揃えてから、市役所に行きましょう。
しんせい に ひつような もの を そろえて から、しやくしょ に いきましょう。
shinsei ni hitsuyouna mono o soroete kara, shiyakusho ni ikimashou.
Let us go to the city hall after gathering everything needed for the application.