# 炙手可热

zhì shǒu kě rè

Be extremely powerful or in great demand

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** So hot it burns an approaching hand

**Traditional Chinese:** 炙手可熱

**Register:** Evaluative · formal

[Perspective](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/perspective)

## When to use it

Describe powerful influence or exceptional popularity.

Powerful intimidation and fashionable popularity are distinct senses.

## Understanding the expression

Something too hot to touch provides an image of a person whose influence makes approaching them difficult. That critical sense remains important in formal writing. Modern everyday speech also uses the phrase for people or products in great demand. Learners should notice which sense the context supports: influential status and popularity are not identical. Both uses convey an exceptional position, but a careful sentence explains whether the attention concerns authority, widespread enthusiasm, or demand for a particular skill.

## Examples

这位演员如今炙手可热。

### Traditional Chinese

這位演員如今炙手可熱。

zhè wèi yǎn yuán rú jīn zhì shǒu kě rè 。

This actor is now in great demand.

限量款成了炙手可热的商品。

### Traditional Chinese

限量款成了炙手可熱的商品。

xiàn liàng kuǎn chéng le zhì shǒu kě rè de shāng pǐn 。

The limited edition became a highly sought product.

小说中的权臣炙手可热。

### Traditional Chinese

小說中的權臣炙手可熱。

xiǎo shuō zhōng de quán chén zhì shǒu kě rè 。

The powerful minister in the novel intimidates everyone.

她成了炙手可热的讲师。

### Traditional Chinese

她成了炙手可熱的講師。

tā chéng le zhì shǒu kě rè de jiǎng shī 。

She became an exceptionally popular lecturer.

## 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=%E7%82%99%E6%89%8B%E5%8F%AF%E7%86%B1)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=181&webMd=1&la=0)

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