• 役割やくわり — role / assignment
• 主役しゅやく — leading role
• 兵役へいえき — military service
• 現役げんえき — active duty
• 役人やくにん — government official

The kanji 役 originally signified “military service” or “duty.” It combines the radical 彳 (step) with elements suggesting action or obligation. Today, it's widely used to express roles or positions in society, workplaces, and stories.