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.
俳優は台本を覚えなければならない。
Actors must memorize the script.
監督が台本に変更を加えた。
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.
彼はその映画の脚本を書いた。
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.
スピーチの原稿を用意した。
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.
日本語は三種類の文字を使う。
Japanese uses three kinds of script.
この文字は読めない。
I can't read this script.
Technical term for 'writing system'. Used in linguistics or academic contexts.
ラテン文字は多くの言語の書記体系に使われる。
The Latin script is used in the writing systems of many languages.
A particular style of handwritten characters.
Refers to a person's handwriting or the style of their written characters. Can also mean the trace of writing.
彼の筆跡は読みにくい。
His script is hard to read.
Refers to a typeface or calligraphic style. Used for fonts or artistic handwriting styles.
A small program or sequence of commands.
The direct loanword from English, used in computing contexts for a script file or code.
このスクリプトを実行してください。
Please run this script.
A written paper for an examination.
Refers to an examination paper or answer sheet. Used in educational contexts.
学生は答案を提出した。
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.
This script is very beautiful.