jat1 paau3 ji4 hung4一炮而紅一炮而红
Jyutpingjat1 paau3 ji4 hung4
Yaleyāt paau yìh hùhng
Definition
To become famous and popular in a short span of time; to be an overnight success.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This idiom carries a sense of sudden, explosive success, often implying that the person was previously unknown. It is frequently used in the context of entertainment, such as actors, singers, or internet influencers who gain massive popularity through a single project or viral moment. Unlike simply being successful, it emphasizes the speed and intensity of the rise to fame.
Examples
He became an overnight sensation after that movie and now gets many commercial offers.
Do you really think you can become famous overnight just by singing a random song?
Related words
Common phrases
to become famous overnight
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this for gradual success or long term achievements. It specifically describes a sudden, singular event that triggers fame, so it does not fit situations where someone works hard over many years to slowly build a reputation.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
