一発屋
Meaning: A one-hit wonder; an entertainer or artist who had only one big success and then faded from the spotlight.
一発屋 is a widely used label in Japanese entertainment to describe comedians, musicians, or other performers who became massively popular with a single gag, song, or routine but failed to maintain that momentum. While sometimes used affectionately, it often carries a pitying or dismissive nuance. Many Japanese comedians wear the label with self-deprecating humor, and there are even TV specials dedicated to catching up with famous 一発屋.
Examples
- あの芸人、完全に一発屋だったよね。最近全然見ないし。 那个搞笑艺人完全是一招鲜吧。最近完全看不到了。Ese cómico fue totalmente flor de un día, ¿no? Últimamente no se le ve por ningún lado.그 개그맨, 완전 반짝 스타였지. 요즘 전혀 안 보이고.
- 一発屋って言われたくないから、次の曲も全力で作ってる。 因为不想被说是一招鲜,所以下一首歌也在全力创作。Como no quiero que me llamen flor de un día, estoy dando lo máximo con la siguiente canción.반짝 스타라는 소리 듣기 싫어서 다음 곡도 전력으로 만들고 있어.
- 一発屋特集の番組って意外と面白いんだよな。 一招鲜特集的节目其实意外地很有趣。Los programas especiales sobre artistas de un solo éxito son sorprendentemente entretenidos.반짝 스타 특집 프로그램이 의외로 재밌어.
Pronunciation
/ip.pa.tsu.ja/
Usage Guide
Context: entertainment discussion, social media, friends
Tone: humorous, sometimes pitying
✓ Do Say
- あのバンド一発屋じゃなくてちゃんと売れ続けてるのすごい。 (It's impressive that band isn't a one-hit wonder — they keep selling.)那个乐队不是一招鲜,能一直卖得好太厉害了。(那支乐队不是昙花一现,能持续走红真的很厉害。)Es impresionante que esa banda no haya sido flor de un día y siga vendiendo.그 밴드는 반짝 스타가 아니라 꾸준히 잘 팔리는 게 대단해. (그 밴드가 반짝 스타가 아니라 계속 인기를 유지하는 게 대단하다.)
- 一発屋でもあの一発がでかかったからまだ稼げてるらしいよ。 (Even though they're a one-hit wonder, that one hit was so big they're still earning.)虽然是一招鲜,但那一首歌太火了,据说到现在还在赚钱。(虽然只红了一首,但那一首太火了,据说至今还有收入。)Aunque sea un artista de un solo éxito, dicen que aquel éxito fue tan grande que todavía le da para vivir.반짝 스타라도 그 한 방이 워낙 커서 아직도 수입이 있대. (반짝 스타라도 그 한 번의 성공이 워낙 커서 아직도 벌고 있다고 한다.)
✗ Don't Say
- 本人に直接「一発屋ですよね」は失礼 (Calling someone a one-hit wonder to their face is rude)当面对人说「你就是一招鲜吧」很失礼Llamarle a alguien «flor de un día» a la cara es una falta de respeto.본인에게 직접 「반짝 스타죠?」라고 하는 건 실례다 (본인 앞에서 반짝 스타라고 하는 것은 무례하다)
Common Mistakes
- Applying 一発屋 to someone still actively successful — it specifically means their fame was short-lived
Origin & History
From 一発 (one shot) + 屋 (person/dealer suffix). Originally gambling slang for someone who wins big once. Applied to entertainment since the 1990s, especially for comedians whose signature gag had a short shelf life.
Cultural Context
Era: 1990s onwards, deeply rooted in variety show culture
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. Particularly common in discussions about comedians and the rapid turnover in variety show culture.
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