Today’s word pulls double duty. The German noun Rolle can mean role — as in a part in a play or a social function — and it can also mean roll, like a roll of tape or a somersault. It’s one of those flexible, context-rich words you’ll hear in theatre, psychology, the kitchen… and the playground. It's one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German, too!

Rolle is a feminine noun, so the correct article is die — die Rolle. Want to stop guessing noun gender? Our super-practical 5-minute video lesson teaches you the patterns that actually work.

Real conversations where Rolle might come up

Rolle appears in casual and formal conversation. You might talk about someone’s Rolle als Vater (role as a father), or watch an actor in einer großen Rolle. At the same time, a child might shout “Ich kann eine Rolle machen!” while doing a somersault on the grass.

– Was ist deine Rolle im Projekt?
– Ich kümmere mich um die Organisation.
(“What’s your role in the project?” – “I’m taking care of the organization.”)

Beginner sample dialogue

Sara: Was machst du da?
Leo: Eine Rolle! Schau mal!
Sara: Wow! Fast wie im Zirkus!

(Sara: What are you doing?
Leo: A somersault! Look!
Sara: Wow! Almost like in the circus!)

Grammar in action: How to use Rolle

Here’s how Rolle works across the four German cases:

• Nominative: Die Rolle war schwierig, aber spannend.
  (The role was difficult, but exciting.)

• Accusative: Ich spiele die Rolle der Mutter.
  (I’m playing the role of the mother.)

• Dative: Mit der Rolle hatte er Probleme.
  (He had problems with the role.)

• Genitive: Die Bedeutung der Rolle wurde unterschätzt.
  (The importance of the role was underestimated.)

Need a solid understanding of these cases without memorizing charts? Our clear and intuitive grammar course teaches exactly that — in plain English.

Other ways to say role or roll in German

For role, Rolle is your main word. For roll in the culinary sense (like a bread roll), you’d use Brötchen. If you mean to roll as a verb, it's rollen. Germans also use Position, Funktion, or Aufgabe for a role in a team or task.

Word variations and tidbits

Rolle shows up in a wide range of compound nouns:

• Hauptrolle – leading role

• Nebenrolle – supporting role

• Toilettenpapierrolle – toilet paper roll

• Filmrolle – film reel

• Rolle rückwärts – backward somersault

• Rolle spielen – to play a role (in a film or figuratively in a situation)

You’ll also hear „eine große Rolle spielen“ — to play an important role — in everything from politics to relationships to football.

And yes, kids love yelling “Guck mal, ich kann eine Rolle machen!” It’s one of the first proudly announced gymnastic moves you’ll hear on any German playground.

Duden entry:
https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Rolle

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