Definition

1. Adjective (used as a stative verb):
   • Popular / In high demand: Describes a product, service, or piece of work (like a book, film, or song) that sells well or attracts a large number of customers or audiences because it is appealing.
   • Commercial / A hit: Indicates something that achieves significant commercial success or widespread public acceptance.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Cuốn sách mới của cô ấy rất ăn khách. (Her new book is very popular / a big seller.)
  • Mẫu điện thoại này đang ăn khách nhất. (This phone model is currently the most in-demand.)
  • Bộ phim không ăn khách lắm. (The film wasn't very commercially successful.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is primarily used in commercial and artistic contexts to gauge market reception. It often implies a positive public response measured through sales or attendance.
• It can function grammatically like a stative verb in Vietnamese, often following adverbs like "rất" (very) or "không" (not).

Variants and Related Words

• Bán chạy (v): to sell well. This is a more direct synonym focusing on the action of selling.
  • Sản phẩm này đang bán rất chạy. (This product is selling very well.)

Synonyms

• Popular: liked or admired by many people.
• In demand: wanted or sought after by many customers.
• Commercial: making or intended to make a profit.
• A bestseller: a product, especially a book, that is sold in very large numbers.

Related Idioms

• Ăn khách như tôm tươi: Literally "to be in demand like fresh shrimp." An idiom emphasizing extremely high popularity and quick sales.
  • Mấy mẫu áo mới này ăn khách như tôm tươi. (These new shirt designs are selling like hotcakes.)