biānjù: 编剧 - Screenwriter, Playwright, Scenarist

• Keywords: biānjù, 编剧, Chinese screenwriter, Chinese playwright, what is bianju, how to say screenwriter in Chinese, scriptwriting in China, Chinese film industry, Chinese television drama, writer for TV, scriptwriter.
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese term 编剧 (biānjù), which means “screenwriter” or “playwright.” This page breaks down the word, explores its cultural significance in the booming Chinese film and TV industry, and provides over 10 practical example sentences. Discover the difference between a `编剧` and a `作家 (zuòjiā)` (author), and understand the crucial role these storytellers play in modern Chinese media.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): biānjù
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: A person who writes scripts for plays, movies, or television shows.
• In a Nutshell: `编剧` is the job title for the creative mind behind the story you see on screen or stage. It's a compound word that literally means “to compile/weave a drama.” They are the architects of the plot, characters, and dialogue that actors and directors bring to life.

• 编 (biān): This character means to weave, plait, compile, or organize. Picture someone weaving individual threads into a complete piece of fabric. In this context, it means organizing ideas and scenes into a coherent story.
• 剧 (jù): This character means drama, play, or a theatrical performance. It refers to the final product that is acted out.

Combining these two characters, 编剧 (biānjù) paints a vivid picture: someone who “weaves a drama” together from various plot points, character arcs, and lines of dialogue.

In China's rapidly expanding film and television market, the role of the 编剧 (biānjù) has become a hot topic. Historically, the Chinese film industry operated on a “director-centric model” (导演中心制, dǎoyǎn zhōngxīn zhì), where the director held the ultimate creative authority, and the screenwriter's role was often secondary. While directors remain hugely influential, the explosion of long-form television dramas (电视剧, diànshìjù) has elevated the screenwriter's status significantly. A compelling, well-paced story is now seen as the backbone of a successful series, leading to “hit-maker” screenwriters gaining fame and influence. This shift has sparked public discussions about intellectual property rights, fair pay, and creative credit for screenwriters. Unlike the American system, where a “showrunner” (often a head writer with executive producer powers) guides a TV series, the power dynamic in China between the director, producer, and screenwriter is still evolving and can vary greatly from project to project. Fans on social media platforms like Weibo are now just as likely to praise or criticize the `编剧` for a show's plot as they are the actors or director.

`编剧` is primarily used as a noun referring to the profession. You use it just like you would use “screenwriter” or “doctor” in English.

• As a Job Title: It's a standard professional title. You would use it on a business card or when introducing someone's profession.
  • e.g., “他是这部电影的编剧。” (Tā shì zhè bù diànyǐng de biānjù.) - “He is the screenwriter for this movie.”
• In Media and Reviews: Critics, fans, and news articles will refer to the `编剧` when discussing the quality of a story, plot, or dialogue.
  • e.g., “很多观众抱怨编剧把结局写得太仓促了。” (Hěnduō guānzhòng bàoyuàn biānjù bǎ jiéjú xiě de tài cāngcù le.) - “Many viewers complained that the screenwriter wrote the ending too hastily.”
• Distinguishing from the Action: The action of writing a script is most commonly expressed with the verb phrase 写剧本 (xiě jùběn). While `编剧` can occasionally be used as a verb (meaning “to act as screenwriter”), it is far less common.

• Example 1:
  • 她最大的梦想是成为一名编剧。
  • Pinyin: Tā zuìdà de mèngxiǎng shì chéngwéi yī míng biānjù.
  • English: Her biggest dream is to become a screenwriter.
  • Analysis: A straightforward example of `编剧` used as a career aspiration. Note the use of the measure word `名 (míng)` for respected professions.
• Example 2:
  • 你知道这部热播剧的编剧是谁吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ zhīdào zhè bù rèbō jù de biānjù shì shéi ma?
  • English: Do you know who the screenwriter of this hit drama is?
  • Analysis: A common question among fans. `热播剧 (rèbō jù)` means “hit drama” or “popularly broadcast show.”
• Example 3:
  • 我觉得这个编剧写的台词特别生活化。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ juéde zhège biānjù xiě de táicí tèbié shēnghuóhuà.
  • English: I think the dialogue this screenwriter writes is especially realistic/natural.
  • Analysis: Here, `编剧` is the subject of a comment. `生活化 (shēnghuóhuà)` means “life-like” or “natural,” a high compliment for dialogue.
• Example 4:
  • 粉丝们都在骂编剧，因为主角最后死了。
  • Pinyin: Fěnsīmen dōu zài mà biānjù, yīnwèi zhǔjué zuìhòu sǐ le.
  • English: The fans are all cursing out the screenwriter because the main character died in the end.
  • Analysis: This shows the passionate (and sometimes negative) relationship between audiences and screenwriters in modern fan culture.
• Example 5:
  • 这部电影的编剧和导演是同一个人。
  • Pinyin: Zhè bù diànyǐng de biānjù hé dǎoyǎn shì tóng yī ge rén.
  • English: The screenwriter and the director of this movie are the same person.
  • Analysis: This highlights the relationship between the two key creative roles in filmmaking.
• Example 6:
  • 我们需要聘请一位有经验的编剧来改编这本小说。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào pìnqǐng yī wèi yǒu jīngyàn de biānjù lái gǎibiān zhè běn xiǎoshuō.
  • English: We need to hire an experienced screenwriter to adapt this novel.
  • Analysis: This sentence introduces the related verb `改编 (gǎibiān)`, meaning “to adapt.” Note the more formal measure word `位 (wèi)`.
• Example 7:
  • 一个好的编剧不仅要会讲故事，还要懂市场。
  • Pinyin: Yī ge hǎo de biānjù bùjǐn yào huì jiǎng gùshi, hái yào dǒng shìchǎng.
  • English: A good screenwriter not only has to know how to tell a story, but also has to understand the market.
  • Analysis: The `不仅…还… (bùjǐn…hái…)` structure means “not only… but also…” and is very useful for describing multiple qualities.
• Example 8:
  • 他原来是位小说家，后来转型做了编剧。
  • Pinyin: Tā yuánlái shì wèi xiǎoshuōjiā, hòulái zhuǎnxíng zuòle biānjù.
  • English: He was originally a novelist, and later transitioned to being a screenwriter.
  • Analysis: This sentence directly contrasts the role of a novelist (`小说家, xiǎoshuōjiā`) with a screenwriter, a common career path. `转型 (zhuǎnxíng)` means to transform or change career paths.
• Example 9:
  • 这部剧的成功，编剧功不可没。
  • Pinyin: Zhè bù jù de chénggōng, biānjù gōng bù kě mò.
  • English: The screenwriter's contribution to this show's success cannot be ignored.
  • Analysis: `功不可没 (gōng bù kě mò)` is a common idiom meaning “one's contribution is indelible” or “deserves a lot of credit.” It's a very positive and formal way to acknowledge someone's work.
• Example 10:
  • 投资方要求编剧修改剧本，增加一个角色。
  • Pinyin: Tóuzīfāng yāoqiú biānjù xiūgǎi jùběn, zēngjiā yī ge juésè.
  • English: The investors demanded that the screenwriter revise the script to add a character.
  • Analysis: This sentence illustrates the commercial pressures a `编剧` can face from `投资方 (tóuzīfāng)`, the investors or financiers.

A frequent point of confusion for learners is distinguishing `编剧` from other words for “writer.”

• `编剧 (biānjù)` vs. `作家 (zuòjiā)` vs. `作者 (zuòzhě)`:
  • `编剧 (biānjù)`: Specifically a screenwriter or playwright. They write scripts (剧本, jùběn).
  • `作家 (zuòjiā)`: A general term for an author or writer, especially one who writes literature like novels, poems, or essays. It carries a sense of being an established, professional literary figure.
  • `作者 (zuòzhě)`: A neutral term for the author/creator of any specific work. It could be the author of a book, an article, or even a piece of software. It's less of a job title and more of a factual descriptor.
• Common Mistake: Using `编剧` for a novelist.
  • Incorrect: J.K. 罗琳是一位很棒的编剧。 (J.K. Rowling is a great screenwriter.)
  • Why it's wrong: While she has written screenplays, her primary identity is as a novelist. It's more accurate to call her a `作家 (zuòjiā)`.
  • Correct: J.K. 罗琳是一位很棒的作家。 (J.K. Rowling is a great author/writer.)
  • Correct: 他是《哈利·波特》这本书的作者。 (He is the author of the book “Harry Potter.”)
• Common Mistake: Using `编剧` as the primary verb for “to write a script.”
  • Awkward: 他正在编剧。 (He is screenwriting.)
  • Why it's awkward: This sounds like saying “He is doctoring” instead of “He is practicing medicine.”
  • Correct and Natural: 他正在写剧本。 (Tā zhèngzài xiě jùběn.) - He is writing a script.

• 剧本 (jùběn) - Script, screenplay. The physical text that a `编剧` produces.
• 导演 (dǎoyǎn) - Director. The person who visualizes the `剧本` and directs the actors. A key collaborator with the `编剧`.
• 演员 (yǎnyuán) - Actor/Actress. The performers who bring the `编剧`'s characters and dialogue to life.
• 电视剧 (diànshìjù) - Television drama/series. One of the main formats a `编剧` writes for.
• 电影 (diànyǐng) - Movie/Film. The other main format a `编剧` writes for.
• 作家 (zuòjiā) - Author/Writer (literary). A related but distinct profession focused on literature, not scripts.
• 改编 (gǎibiān) - To adapt. A common task for a `编剧`, involving turning a novel, historical event, or other source material into a script.
• 台词 (táicí) - Lines/Dialogue. A core component of a script crafted by the `编剧`.
• 剧情 (jùqíng) - Plot/Storyline. The sequence of events and narrative structure created by the `编剧`.
• 制片人 (zhìpiànrén) - Producer. The person or company managing the financial and administrative aspects of a production, who often hires the `编剧`.