giu3 hou2 bat1 giu3 zo6叫好不叫座
Jyutpinggiu3 hou2 bat1 giu3 zo6
Yalegiu hóu bāt giu joh
Definition
Well-received but not commercially successful; of high quality but not selling well.
colloquialworkdescriptions
How it's used
This idiom is primarily used in the context of commercial success versus critical acclaim. It highlights the disconnect between artistic or professional quality and actual market performance. You will frequently hear it applied to films, books, or new business ventures that fail to gain traction despite being well-regarded by critics.
Examples
This movie has great word of mouth, but unfortunately it is not selling well.
Related words
Common phrases
a film that is critically acclaimed but a box office flop
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a general description of something unpopular, but it specifically requires the element of being praised or well-received by those who do experience it. If something is just bad or unpopular, do not use this phrase.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
