Japanese Conversation · Level 85
60 words
Japanese word
主演
Pronunciation
Romajishuen
Meaning
- nounlead role
Example
彼はその映画で主演を務めます。kare wa so no ei ga de shu en o tsuto me ma su
He will play the lead role in that movie.
More examples
その作品では人気俳優が主演に選ばれました。so no saku hin de wa nin ki hai yū ga shu en ni era ba re ma shi ta
A popular actor was chosen to play the lead in that production.
Core concept
It marks the performer who occupies the most central role and carries the main action of a work.
Common phrases
主演に選ばれるshu en ni era ba re ru
be chosen to play the lead
主演を務めるshu en o tsuto me ru
play the lead role
主演に決まるshu en ni ki ma ru
be chosen as the lead
Similar words
主役shuyaku: The central role in a work, usually carried by its main performer.
Definition in Japanese
映画や劇などで、中心となる役を演じること。また、その役を演じる人。ei ga ya geki na do de chū shin to na ru yaku o en ji ru ko to ma ta so no yaku o en ji ru hito
Word origin
主演 (shuen, "lead performance") is a Sino-Japanese compound of 主 (shu, "main") and 演 (en, "perform"), referring to performance in the main role.
Usage tips
- In Japanese entertainment news, 主演 (shuen) commonly identifies the actor whose name receives the main billing, not every member of the cast.
Other meanings
- starringnoun
Related words
- 主演者shuenshalead performernoun