yuánzhù: 原著 - Original Work, Source Material

• Keywords: yuánzhù, 原著, original work, source material, original novel, Chinese book adaptation, book vs movie, C-drama source novel, 原著粉, yuánzhù fěn, what is yuanzhu
• Summary: Learn the meaning of 原著 (yuánzhù), a crucial Chinese term for “original work” or “source material.” This page explores how 原著 is used to discuss novels, plays, and other texts that are adapted into popular C-dramas, movies, and comics. Understand the cultural significance of 原著 in modern Chinese fan culture and learn how to use it to compare an adaptation with its beloved source.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): yuán zhù
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: The original book, script, or text from which a movie, play, or other adaptation is created.
• In a Nutshell: 原著 (yuánzhù) is the “source material.” Think about a movie like Harry Potter. The 原著 is the original book series written by J.K. Rowling. In China, where countless TV shows are based on popular web novels, this word is used constantly by fans to discuss how faithful an adaptation is to the original story. It's the “original” + “work/book”.

• 原 (yuán): This character means “original,” “primary,” “raw,” or “source.” Think of it as the starting point of something.
• 著 (zhù): This character means “to write” or “to compose.” As a noun, it can also refer to a literary work or book.
• When combined, 原著 (yuánzhù) literally translates to “original writing” or “source work,” perfectly capturing its meaning as the foundational text for other creative adaptations.

In modern China, the concept of 原著 (yuánzhù) is incredibly significant, largely due to the massive industry of adapting web novels (网络小说) into other media. The most important cultural phenomenon related to this term is the “原著粉” (yuánzhù fěn), which translates to “original work fan” or “source material fan.” These are dedicated fans of the original novel who are often highly vocal and critical about adaptations. They will passionately debate changes to the plot, character portrayals, and whether the adaptation captured the “spirit” of the 原著. This is similar to how Western fans of Game of Thrones or The Lord of the Rings novels scrutinize the TV and film adaptations. However, in China, the sheer volume of adaptations and the highly engaged online fan communities (on platforms like Weibo and Douban) make the discourse around 原著 a central part of modern pop culture. This reflects a deep respect for the original author's creation and the powerful connection readers form with the source material. An adaptation's success can often depend on winning over the 原著粉.

You will encounter 原著 (yuánzhù) most frequently when discussing media, especially TV dramas and films.

• In Conversation: When friends are talking about a new hit C-drama, a common question is, “你看过它的原著吗?” (Nǐ kànguò tā de yuánzhù ma?) - “Have you read the original book?”
• On Social Media: On platforms like Douban (a Chinese review site for books/movies), reviews constantly compare the adaptation to the 原著, praising or criticizing the changes made by the screenwriter.
• In Media Promotions: Trailers and posters for a new show will often state “改编自同名原著” (gǎibiān zì tóngmíng yuánzhù) - “Adapted from the original work of the same name.”

The term is neutral in connotation but is often used in a comparative context that can be either positive (praising faithfulness) or negative (criticizing deviation). It is used in both formal literary analysis and informal fan discussions.

• Example 1:
  • 很多电视剧都是根据热门小说的原著改编的。
  • Pinyin: Hěn duō diànshìjù dōu shì gēnjù rèmén xiǎoshuō de yuánzhù gǎibiān de.
  • English: Many TV series are adapted from the original works of popular novels.
  • Analysis: This is a common, factual statement explaining the relationship between TV shows and their source material.
• Example 2:
  • 这部电影虽然不错，但我还是更喜欢原著。
  • Pinyin: Zhè bù diànyǐng suīrán búcuò, dàn wǒ háishì gèng xǐhuān yuánzhù.
  • English: Although this movie is pretty good, I still prefer the original book.
  • Analysis: A classic example of expressing a personal preference for the source material over its adaptation.
• Example 3:
  • 你觉得这个改编忠于原著吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ juéde zhège gǎibiān zhōngyú yuánzhù ma?
  • English: Do you think this adaptation is faithful to the original work?
  • Analysis: A very common question used to start a discussion or debate about an adaptation. “忠于” (zhōngyú) means “to be loyal to” or “faithful to.”
• Example 4:
  • 作为一名原著粉，我对选角有点失望。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi yī míng yuánzhù fěn, wǒ duì xuǎnjiǎo yǒudiǎn shīwàng.
  • English: As a fan of the original work, I'm a bit disappointed with the casting.
  • Analysis: This sentence perfectly demonstrates the use of the cultural term “原著粉” (yuánzhù fěn) to state one's identity as a source material fan.
• Example 5:
  • 我没看过原著，所以不知道剧情被改了多少。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ méi kànguò yuánzhù, suǒyǐ bù zhīdào jùqíng bèi gǎi le duōshǎo.
  • English: I haven't read the original work, so I don't know how much the plot was changed.
  • Analysis: This is a common way to explain why you can't comment on the faithfulness of an adaptation.
• Example 6:
  • 原著的结局比电影的更深刻。
  • Pinyin: Yuánzhù de jiéjú bǐ diànyǐng de gèng shēnkè.
  • English: The ending of the original work is more profound than the movie's.
  • Analysis: Using a simple A 比 B (A bǐ B) structure to compare specific elements of the source and the adaptation.
• Example 7:
  • 导演说他想拍出原著的精髓。
  • Pinyin: Dǎoyǎn shuō tā xiǎng pāi chū yuánzhù de jīngsuǐ.
  • English: The director said he wanted to capture the essence of the original work.
  • Analysis: “精髓” (jīngsuǐ) means “essence” or “spirit,” a key concept in adaptation discussions.
• Example 8:
  • 这本小说的原著非常长，有上百万字。
  • Pinyin: Zhè běn xiǎoshuō de yuánzhù fēicháng cháng, yǒu shàng bǎi wàn zì.
  • English: The original text of this novel is very long, with over a million characters.
  • Analysis: Here, 原著 is used to emphasize the scale and detail of the source material.
• Example 9:
  • 推荐先看原著再看电视剧，体验会更好。
  • Pinyin: Tuījiàn xiān kàn yuánzhù zài kàn diànshìjù, tǐyàn huì gèng hǎo.
  • English: I recommend reading the original work first before watching the TV series; the experience will be better.
  • Analysis: A common piece of advice given from one fan to another.
• Example 10:
  • 原著作者也参与了这次的剧本创作。
  • Pinyin: Yuánzhù zuòzhě yě cānyù le zhè cì de jùběn chuàngzuò.
  • English: The author of the original work also participated in the creation of this screenplay.
  • Analysis: This is often mentioned in marketing to assure fans that the adaptation will be faithful to the author's vision.

A very common point of confusion for learners is the difference between 原著 (yuánzhù) and 原版 (yuánbǎn). They may seem similar but have distinct meanings.

• 原著 (yuánzhù): The Original Creative Work. This refers to the story, the text, the content created by the author. It's about the intellectual property.
  • Example: The 原著 of the Game of Thrones TV show is the book series “A Song of Ice and Fire.”
• 原版 (yuánbǎn): The Original Edition/Version. This refers to the physical or digital publication in its original language or format, as opposed to a translation, a revised edition, or a pirated copy.
  • Example: I want to read Harry Potter, but I don't want the Chinese translation; I want to read the 原版 (the original English version).

Incorrect Usage:

• Wrong: 我想买这本书的原著。 (Wǒ xiǎng mǎi zhè běn shū de yuánzhù.)
• Why it's wrong: If you are at a bookstore asking for the original English version of an English book (instead of the Chinese translation), you are asking for the original version, not the original work. The book itself *is* the original work.
• Correct: 我想买这本书的原版。 (Wǒ xiǎng mǎi zhè běn shū de yuánbǎn.)

Think of it this way: a TV show has a 原著 (the novel it's based on). A translated novel has a 原版 (the version in its original language).

• 改编 (gǎibiān) - To adapt; adaptation. This is the process that turns a 原著 into a new form of media.
• 原作 (yuánzuò) - Original work. A very close synonym of 原著. 原作 can be used slightly more broadly for things like paintings or music, while 原著 is more strongly associated with written texts. They are often interchangeable in conversation about books/movies.
• 原著粉 (yuánzhù fěn) - “Original work fan.” The dedicated and often critical fanbase of the source material.
• 影视化 (yǐngshìhuà) - To cinematize; to adapt into a film or TV show. The specific action of adapting a 原著 for the screen.
• 作者 (zuòzhě) - Author. The person who created the 原著.
• 小说 (xiǎoshuō) - Novel. The most common form of 原著 in the current Chinese media landscape.
• IP (Intellectual Property) - This English acronym is now widely used in Chinese business and media contexts to refer to a popular 原著 that has the potential to be developed into a franchise (movies, games, merchandise, etc.).
• 原版 (yuánbǎn) - Original edition/version. A crucial term to distinguish from 原著, referring to the version in the original language or the first-run edition.