Definitions
(noun)
military service; war; battle
(noun)
forced labor; corvée; obligatory task
(verb)
to use as servant; to employ
About
The character 役 is structured from the component 彳, which conveys movement, and 殳, representing a weapon or forceful action, combining to imply compelled activity or service. Its early usage specifically denoted military conscription and corvée labor demanded by governing powers. Over time, its meaning expanded to encompass general service, duty, or obligatory work, and in modern application, it further refers to a servant or a functional role, as observable in compounds like 役使 (to employ) and 兵役 (military service).
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
他在军队服役。
兵役是公民的义务。
这场战役非常激烈。
他退役后开始了新生活。
古代有劳役制度。
役使牲畜是传统农业的一部分。
衙役在县衙里当差。
这场战役的胜利改变了历史。