1. role; assignment; responsibility; duty; function; job; service
あんなものは役には立たない。Things like that are of no use.
2. position (of responsibility); post; office
父は今年、社長の役を退いた。This year my father stepped down from his post as company president.
3. part (in a play, film, etc.); role; character
生徒役として出てもらいます。I will have you appear in the role of a student.
4. scoring combination; hand; yaku; meld