zǒuhóng: 走红 - To Become Popular, Go Viral, Rise to Fame

• Keywords: zǒuhóng, 走红, how to say go viral in Chinese, become famous in Chinese, become popular, Chinese internet slang, celebrity culture China, rise to fame, Chinese pop culture.
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese term 走红 (zǒuhóng), which means “to become popular,” “go viral,” or “rise to fame.” This page breaks down its cultural meaning, explains how it's used in modern contexts like social media and the entertainment industry, and provides numerous examples. Understanding 走红 is key to discussing modern Chinese pop culture, internet trends, and the concept of sudden success.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zǒuhóng
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: To achieve widespread popularity, often suddenly.
• In a Nutshell: 走红 (zǒuhóng) literally translates to “walk red.” In Chinese culture, the color red (红, hóng) symbolizes good fortune, success, and celebration. So, to “walk red” is a vivid metaphor for starting on a path of fame and success. It describes the moment a person, song, movie, or even a product “takes off” and becomes a massive hit. It captures the dynamic process of becoming famous, rather than the static state of being famous.

• 走 (zǒu): This character means “to walk,” “to go,” or “to move.” It depicts a person striding forward, suggesting a journey, a process, or a change in status.
• 红 (hóng): This character means “red.” In China, red is the quintessential color of good luck, joy, and prosperity. It's the color of wedding dresses, festival decorations, and lucky envelopes. In modern slang, it has extended to mean “popular,” “successful,” or “in-demand.”

When combined, 走红 (zǒuhóng) creates a powerful image: someone is “walking the path of red,” meaning they are entering a phase of popularity and good fortune.

走红 is a cornerstone of understanding modern Chinese ambition and media culture. It encapsulates the dream of achieving public recognition and success, a phenomenon amplified by the internet.

• Comparison to “Going Viral”: While 走红 is similar to the American concept of “going viral” or “blowing up,” there's a key cultural difference. “Going viral” is a neutral, almost clinical term describing the rapid spread of information, like a virus. 走红 (zǒuhóng), with its connection to the auspicious color red, carries a stronger connotation of good fortune and destiny. It’s not just that something spread; it’s that it was “meant to be” successful and has been blessed with luck.
• Internet Culture and 网红 (wǎnghóng): The term is inseparable from the rise of 网红 (wǎnghóng), or “internet celebrities.” These are individuals who 走红 through social media platforms like Douyin (TikTok), Weibo, or Bilibili. The phrase 一夜走红 (yī yè zǒuhóng), meaning “to become famous overnight,” perfectly captures the speed at which this can happen in the digital age.

走红 is a common, slightly informal term used widely in daily conversation, news headlines, and online discussions.

• Entertainment: This is its most common habitat. It's used to describe actors, singers, bands, movies, or TV dramas that become hits.
• Social Media: It describes viral trends, memes, videos, and influencers. Anyone who gains a massive following online has 走红.
• Business and Products: A new brand of milk tea, a new smartphone model, or a trendy restaurant can also 走红 when it captures the public's imagination and becomes a bestseller or a must-visit location.

Its connotation is overwhelmingly positive, as it signifies a desired achievement.

• Example 1:
  • 这位年轻演员凭借一部电视剧迅速走红。
  • Pinyin: Zhè wèi niánqīng yǎnyuán píngjiè yī bù diànshìjù xùnsù zǒuhóng.
  • English: This young actor quickly became famous thanks to a TV series.
  • Analysis: A classic example of 走红 used in the context of the entertainment industry. `凭借 (píngjiè)` means “by virtue of” or “relying on”.
• Example 2:
  • 这首歌在抖音上走红后，到处都能听到。
  • Pinyin: Zhè shǒu gē zài Dǒuyīn shàng zǒuhóng hòu, dàochù dōu néng tīngdào.
  • English: After this song went viral on Douyin (TikTok), you could hear it everywhere.
  • Analysis: This shows how 走红 is perfectly suited for describing internet trends. The structure `…后 (hòu)` means “after…”
• Example 3:
  • 很多公司都想知道怎样才能让新产品走红。
  • Pinyin: Hěn duō gōngsī dōu xiǎng zhīdào zěnyàng cáinéng ràng xīn chǎnpǐn zǒuhóng.
  • English: Many companies want to know how they can make a new product a hit.
  • Analysis: Here, 走红 is used in a business context for a product. The `让 (ràng)` structure means “to make” or “to let” something happen.
• Example 4:
  • 他梦想着有一天能走红，成为一名大明星。
  • Pinyin: Tā mèngxiǎng zhe yǒu yī tiān néng zǒuhóng, chéngwéi yī míng dà míngxīng.
  • English: He dreams of one day becoming famous and being a big star.
  • Analysis: This sentence shows 走红 as a personal aspiration or dream.
• Example 5:
  • 谁也没想到，那个搞笑视频居然走红了。
  • Pinyin: Shéi yě méi xiǎngdào, nàge gǎoxiào shìpín jūrán zǒuhóng le.
  • English: No one expected that funny video would actually go viral.
  • Analysis: The word `居然 (jūrán)` adds a sense of surprise or disbelief, which often accompanies something suddenly becoming popular.
• Example 6:
  • 她是不是想靠炒作来走红？
  • Pinyin: Tā shì bu shì xiǎng kào chǎozuò lái zǒuhóng?
  • English: Is she trying to get famous by creating hype/scandal?
  • Analysis: This shows a more cynical view. `炒作 (chǎozuò)` means “to hype up” or “sensationalize,” often with a negative connotation of inauthenticity.
• Example 7:
  • 这家奶茶店因为独特的口味在社交媒体上走红。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā nǎichá diàn yīnwèi dútè de kǒuwèi zài shèjiāo méitǐ shàng zǒuhóng.
  • English: This milk tea shop became a hit on social media because of its unique flavor.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates a specific reason for a business becoming popular. `因为 (yīnwèi)` introduces the cause.
• Example 8:
  • 一夜走红给他带来了很多压力。
  • Pinyin: Yī yè zǒuhóng gěi tā dàilái le hěn duō yālì.
  • English: Becoming famous overnight brought him a lot of pressure.
  • Analysis: Using the common phrase `一夜走红 (yī yè zǒuhóng)` to highlight the double-edged sword of sudden fame.
• Example 9:
  • 要想走红，光有才华还不够，也需要一点运气。
  • Pinyin: Yào xiǎng zǒuhóng, guāng yǒu cáihuá hái bùgòu, yě xūyào yīdiǎn yùnqì.
  • English: If you want to become famous, talent alone isn't enough; you also need a bit of luck.
  • Analysis: A great sentence that captures the cultural understanding of success. `光…不够 (guāng…bùgòu)` means “just… is not enough”.
• Example 10:
  • 虽然他很努力，但一直没能走红。
  • Pinyin: Suīrán tā hěn nǔlì, dàn yīzhí méi néng zǒuhóng.
  • English: Although he worked very hard, he was never able to become popular.
  • Analysis: This shows the negative form, `没能走红 (méi néng zǒuhóng)`, meaning “was not able to become popular.”

• `走红` vs. `有名 (yǒumíng)`: A common point of confusion.
  • 走红 (zǒuhóng) is the process of becoming famous. It's the “getting there.”
  • 有名 (yǒumíng) is the state of being famous. It's the “already there.”
  • *Correct:* 他去年走红了，所以现在很有名。 (Tā qùnián zǒuhóng le, suǒyǐ xiànzài hěn yǒumíng.) - He became famous last year, so now he is very famous.
  • *Incorrect:* 他很走红。 (This is awkward. You would say 他很红 (tā hěn hóng) or 他很有名 (tā hěn yǒumíng).)
• `走红` vs. `流行 (liúxíng)`:
  • 走红 is typically for people, specific works of art (a single song/movie), or products that become a “hit”.
  • 流行 (liúxíng) is for broader trends, styles, or genres. E.g., skinny jeans are `流行`, pop music (`流行音乐`) is a genre. A specific singer of pop music can `走红`.
• Don't Translate Literally: Never say “walk red” in English. It will not be understood. The meaning is entirely metaphorical.

• 火 (huǒ) - Lit. “fire.” A very common and colloquial, single-character synonym for 走红. “他火了” (tā huǒ le) = “He got popular.”
• 网红 (wǎnghóng) - “Internet red,” meaning an internet celebrity or influencer. A person who has 走红 online.
• 爆红 (bàohóng) - To “explode into popularity.” This is even more sudden and intense than 走红.
• 出名 (chūmíng) - To become famous. A close synonym, but 走红 often implies a faster, more modern, media-driven rise to fame.
• 一夜走红 (yī yè zǒuhóng) - A set phrase meaning “to become famous overnight.”
• 流行 (liúxíng) - To be popular, prevalent, or in fashion (for trends, clothing, ideas).
• 有名 (yǒumíng) - To be famous, well-known. This is the state of being famous.
• 明星 (míngxīng) - Star, celebrity. This is the goal for many who wish to 走红.
• 热度 (rèdù) - Lit. “heat degree.” Refers to the level of buzz, hype, or popularity a topic currently has. Something that has 走红 has high 热度.