# 昙花一现

tán huā yī xiàn

Appear brilliantly but only briefly

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** A night-blooming flower opens once

**Traditional Chinese:** 曇花一現

**Register:** Reflective · general

[Change & possibility](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/change)

## When to use it

Describe short-lived success, attention, or opportunity.

The phrase stresses brevity, not necessarily worthlessness.

## Understanding the expression

A flower opens beautifully but stays visible for only a short time. The expression makes that brief bloom a comparison for fame, success, fashion, or an opportunity that soon disappears. Something can be impressive while it lasts, so the phrase does not automatically deny its quality. It is especially useful when contrasting initial excitement with long-term staying power. The surrounding sentence explains whether the brief appearance was disappointing or simply fleeting.

## Examples

那家网店昙花一现，半年后就关了。

### Traditional Chinese

那家網店曇花一現，半年後就關了。

nà jiā wǎng diàn tán huā yī xiàn ， bàn nián hòu jiù guān le 。

That online shop enjoyed only brief success and closed after six months.

他希望新歌的热度不是昙花一现。

### Traditional Chinese

他希望新歌的熱度不是曇花一現。

tā xī wàng xīn gē de rè dù bú shì tán huā yī xiàn 。

He hopes the new song's popularity will not be short-lived.

这项优惠只是昙花一现，周末就取消了。

### Traditional Chinese

這項優惠只是曇花一現，週末就取消了。

zhè xiàng yōu huì zhǐ shì tán huā yī xiàn ， zhōu mò jiù qǔ xiāo le 。

The discount appeared only briefly and was withdrawn by the weekend.

她持续推出好作品，证明自己并非昙花一现。

### Traditional Chinese

她持續推出好作品，證明自己並非曇花一現。

tā chí xù tuī chū hǎo zuò pǐn ， zhèng míng zì jǐ bìng fēi tán huā yī xiàn 。

By continuing to produce good work, she proved her success was no flash in the pan.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E6%9B%87%E8%8A%B1%E4%B8%80%E7%8F%BE)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=373&webMd=1&la=0)

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