rol
“rol” means “role” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
role
Also: part, RPG
📝 In Action
Cada miembro del equipo tiene un rol específico.
A2Each member of the team has a specific role.
Ella aceptó el rol principal en la obra de teatro.
B1She accepted the lead role in the play.
Los fines de semana jugamos juegos de rol con amigos.
A2On weekends we play role-playing games with friends.
muster roll
Also: list
📝 In Action
El capitán debe anotar a todos los marineros en el rol de tripulación.
C1The captain must list all sailors on the muster roll.
🔀 Commonly Confused With
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: rol
Question 1 of 2
If you are playing a character in a movie, which word would you use?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the French word 'rôle,' which originally referred to the scroll of paper (from Latin 'rotulus') that actors used to read their parts.
First recorded: 18th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'rol' a common word?
Yes, it is very common in modern Spanish to talk about someone's function at work, in a family, or in a game.
What is the difference between 'rol' and 'papel'?
In many cases, they are interchangeable. 'Papel' is the older, more traditional word for an actor's part, while 'rol' is a more modern term often used for social or professional functions.
Does 'rol' mean a bread roll?
No. For a bread roll, use 'bollo', 'panecillo', or 'panecito'.