Translation guide
The English word "script" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: a written text for a play or film, a writing system, and handwriting. It also touches on computing scripts and exam answers.
The dialogue and instructions for actors, presenters, or broadcasters.
The most common word for a script used in theater, film, TV dramas, or stage performances. It refers to the physical document containing lines and stage directions.
Actors must memorize the script.
The director made changes to the script.
Often used interchangeably with 台本, but can emphasize the written work as a literary or creative piece (the screenplay or scenario). Common in film and TV contexts.
He wrote the script for that movie.
Refers to a manuscript or draft, often used for a speech script or a presenter's notes. Not typically used for dramatic scripts.
I prepared a script for the speech.
A set of characters used to write a language.
General term for characters or letters. Can refer to a script in the sense of a writing system. Often used in compounds.
Japanese uses three kinds of script.
I can't read this script.
Technical term for 'writing system'. Used in linguistics or academic contexts.
A particular style of handwritten characters.
A small program or sequence of commands.
The direct loanword from English, used in computing contexts for a script file or code.
Please run this script.
A written paper for an examination.
Refers to an examination paper or answer sheet. Used in educational contexts.
The students handed in their scripts.
Both mean 'script' for performances. 台本 is more about the physical script used by actors, while 脚本 emphasizes the written work as a creative piece (screenplay). In many cases they are interchangeable.
The loanword スクリプト is only used in computing. For a play or film script, use 台本 or 脚本.
The Latin script is used in the writing systems of many languages.
This script is very beautiful.