jùběn: 剧本 - Script, Screenplay, Playbook

• Keywords: 剧本, juben, script in Chinese, screenplay in Chinese, Chinese drama script, playbook, what is 剧本杀, C-drama, Chinese movie script, biānjù, screenwriter
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word 剧本 (jùběn), meaning script, screenplay, or play. This page breaks down its characters, cultural importance in the world of C-dramas and the popular “script-murder” games (剧本杀), and its modern metaphorical use as a “playbook” or pre-determined plan. With 10 practical example sentences, you'll understand how to use 剧本 (jùběn) in conversations about movies, life, and modern Chinese culture.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jùběn
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: The written text of a play, movie, TV show, or other performance.
• In a Nutshell: 剧本 (jùběn) is the blueprint for any story told on stage or screen. It contains the dialogue, scene descriptions, and action that actors and directors use to bring a performance to life. Beyond its literal meaning, it's also used metaphorically in modern Chinese to describe a predictable plan, a “life script,” or a scenario that seems to be following a pre-written outline.

• 剧 (jù): This character means “drama,” “play,” or “theatrical performance.” The components hint at intense action (a tiger 虍 and a knife 刂), which is the essence of drama. Think of it as the “drama” part of the word.
• 本 (běn): This character originally depicted a tree (木) with a line at the bottom highlighting its roots. It means “root,” “origin,” or “source.” Over time, it came to mean “book” or “source text.” Think of it as the “source text” part of the word.

When combined, 剧 (jù) + 本 (běn) literally means “drama's source text,” which perfectly describes a script or screenplay.

The concept of 剧本 (jùběn) is more vibrant in modern China than “script” is in the West, largely due to two cultural phenomena: 1. The C-Drama & Film Boom: China's film and television industry is massive. Countless 剧本 are adapted from popular web novels, historical events, and original stories, making the word a common topic of discussion among viewers who critique the plot, dialogue, and character development originating from the script. 2. 剧本杀 (jùběn shā) - “Script Murder” Games: This is a live-action role-playing game that has exploded in popularity among young Chinese people. A group of friends gather, and each receives a 剧本 that details their character, backstory, and secret objectives within a murder mystery. They must act out their role and work together to find the killer. This has turned 剧本 from a professional term into a social and recreational one. Figuratively, the Western phrase “to stick to the script” is similar to the metaphorical use of 剧本. However, in Chinese, describing events as “following a 剧本” (按剧本走 - àn jùběn zǒu) is more common and carries a stronger implication of a situation being carefully orchestrated, artificial, or suspiciously predictable, much like a staged play.

You'll encounter 剧本 (jùběn) in several common contexts:

This is the most direct usage. People discuss whether a movie or TV show had a good or bad 剧本. A good 剧本 is the foundation of a good production.

• “This movie's screenplay is fantastic!” → 这部电影的剧本太棒了！(Zhè bù diànyǐng de jùběn tài bàng le!)

This is a very common figurative use. It can describe a predictable sequence of events, a manipulative plan, or someone's expected life path. It can be neutral or carry a slightly cynical or conspiratorial tone.

• “Are you two just following a script? Your argument seems fake.” → 你们俩是不是在按剧本演啊？吵架都感觉好假。(Nǐmen liǎ shì bu shì zài àn jùběn yǎn a? Chǎojià dōu gǎnjué hǎo jiǎ.)

The term is now inseparable from the popular role-playing game.

• “Let's go play 'Script Murder' this weekend!” → 我们这个周末去玩剧本杀吧！ (Wǒmen zhège zhōumò qù wán jùběn shā ba!)

• Example 1:
  • 这个剧本的情节非常吸引人。
  • Pinyin: Zhège jùběn de qíngjié fēicháng xīyǐn rén.
  • English: The plot of this script is very engaging.
  • Analysis: A standard, literal use of the word when discussing the quality of a script.
• Example 2:
  • 她花了一整年时间才写完这个电影剧本。
  • Pinyin: Tā huāle yī zhěng nián shíjiān cái xiě wán zhège diànyǐng jùběn.
  • English: She spent a whole year finishing this movie script.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights the creation process. The person who writes a `剧本` is called a `编剧 (biānjù)`.
• Example 3:
  • 我觉得他们早就商量好了，一切都按剧本进行。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ juéde tāmen zǎo jiù shāngliang hǎo le, yīqiè dōu àn jùběn jìnxíng.
  • English: I think they already discussed it; everything is proceeding according to the script (playbook).
  • Analysis: This is a classic figurative use, implying a situation is orchestrated or not spontaneous.
• Example 4:
  • 很多热门电视剧都是根据网络小说改编的剧本。
  • Pinyin: Hěn duō rèmén diànshìjù dōu shì gēnjù wǎngluò xiǎoshuō gǎibiān de jùběn.
  • English: Many popular TV series are scripts adapted from web novels.
  • Analysis: This touches on a major source of content for Chinese media. `改编 (gǎibiān)` means “to adapt.”
• Example 5:
  • 第一次玩剧本杀，我拿到的剧本是个侦探。
  • Pinyin: Dì yī cì wán jùběn shā, wǒ ná dào de jùběn shì ge zhēntàn.
  • English: The first time I played “Script Murder,” the script I got was for a detective.
  • Analysis: This shows the direct use of `剧本` within the context of the `剧本杀` game.
• Example 6:
  • 一个好的演员能让一个平庸的剧本变得精彩。
  • Pinyin: Yī ge hǎo de yǎnyuán néng ràng yī ge píngyōng de jùběn biànde jīngcǎi.
  • English: A good actor can make a mediocre script brilliant.
  • Analysis: This sentence contrasts the script with the performance, a common point of discussion for film and theater fans.
• Example 7:
  • 他的人生就像一个写好的剧本，上名牌大学，进大公司，然后结婚生子。
  • Pinyin: Tā de rénshēng jiù xiàng yī ge xiě hǎo de jùběn, shàng míngpái dàxué, jìn dà gōngsī, ránhòu jiéhūn shēngzǐ.
  • English: His life is like a pre-written script: attend a famous university, enter a big company, then get married and have kids.
  • Analysis: This is a powerful figurative use, referring to a “life script” that follows societal expectations.
• Example 8:
  • 导演对剧本做了几个小改动。
  • Pinyin: Dǎoyǎn duì jùběn zuòle jǐ ge xiǎo gǎidòng.
  • English: The director made a few small changes to the script.
  • Analysis: Shows the relationship between the director (`导演 dǎoyǎn`) and the script.
• Example 9:
  • 这不是剧本里的情节，是演员的即兴发挥！
  • Pinyin: Zhè bú shì jùběn lǐ de qíngjié, shì yǎnyuán de jíxìng fāhuī!
  • English: This wasn't in the script's plot, it was the actor's improvisation!
  • Analysis: Clearly contrasts what is written in the `剧本` versus what is improvised (`即兴发挥 jíxìng fāhuī`).
• Example 10:
  • 你能不能别按剧本念了？说点你真实的想法。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ néng bu néng bié àn jùběn niàn le? Shuō diǎn nǐ zhēnshí de xiǎngfǎ.
  • English: Can you stop reading from a script? Say what you really think.
  • Analysis: A metaphorical and slightly confrontational usage, accusing someone of being insincere or just repeating talking points.

• `剧本` vs. `故事 (gùshi)` - “Script” vs. “Story”: A common mistake is to use `剧本` when you simply mean “story.” A `故事 (gùshi)` is the general narrative or tale. A `剧本` is the specific, formatted document with dialogue and scene directions used for a performance.
  • Correct: 我喜欢这个电影的故事。(I like this movie's story.)
  • Incorrect: 我喜欢这个电影的剧本。 (This is only correct if you have read the script itself and are commenting on the writing, not just the general plot you saw on screen).
• `剧本` vs. `小说 (xiǎoshuō)` - “Script” vs. “Novel”: A `小说` is a novel, meant to be read. A `剧本` is a script, meant to be performed. You can adapt a `小说` into a `剧本`, but they are different formats.
  • Example: 这个剧本是根据一部有名的小说改编的。(This script was adapted from a famous novel.)
• Literal vs. Figurative: Pay close attention to context. If friends are talking about their weekend plans, `剧本` likely refers to `剧本杀`. If they are criticizing a predictable breakup, `剧本` is being used metaphorically. If they are film students, they are likely talking about a literal screenplay.

• 剧本杀 (jùběn shā) - The “script murder” role-playing game that has made the term `剧本` a household name.
• 编剧 (biānjù) - The screenwriter or playwright; the person who writes the `剧本`.
• 台词 (táicí) - The spoken lines or dialogue within a `剧本`.
• 剧情 (jùqíng) - The plot or storyline of a drama, which is laid out by the `剧本`.
• 导演 (dǎoyǎn) - The director, who interprets the `剧本` and brings it to the screen or stage.
• 故事 (gùshi) - Story. The general narrative. A `剧本` is one way to tell a `故事`.
• 小说 (xiǎoshuō) - Novel. A common source material that gets adapted into a `剧本`.
• 电视剧 (diànshìjù) - TV Drama/Series. A final product that requires a `剧本`.
• 电影 (diànyǐng) - Movie. Another final product that requires a `剧本`.