The two characters combine literally to mean “the accompanying role” or “the matching part”—the character who exists to support the main one.
In Western culture, especially American culture, there is a strong emphasis on being the “protagonist of your own story.” The idea of being a “supporting character” can often feel negative, implying a lack of ambition or importance. In Chinese culture, while everyone also wants to succeed, the concept of 配角 (pèijué) carries a more nuanced and sometimes positive weight. It taps into collective values where fulfilling one's role within a group—be it a family, a company, or a team—is highly valued. To be a good 配角 is not necessarily a failure; it can be a virtue. It can mean you are a reliable, supportive, and humble person who helps the “main character” (your boss, your team leader, your family) succeed, thus ensuring the success of the group as a whole. An employee who sees their job as being a good 配角 to their manager is showing an understanding of hierarchy and a commitment to the team's goals. Of course, it can also be used negatively or self-deprecatingly to express a feeling of being marginalized or unimportant, just as in English. The key difference is the existence of a culturally understood positive interpretation of being a great supporter.