Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Suddenly prosperous or successful: Describes a person, family, or entity that has experienced a rapid and often unexpected rise from a low or humble position to wealth, high status, or significant success.
   • Parvenu: Carries a connotation of being newly rich or newly powerful, sometimes implying a lack of the refinement or social grace associated with established status.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Ông ta là một doanh nhân hoạnh phát nhờ đầu tư đúng thời điểm. (He is a suddenly prosperous businessman thanks to timely investments.)
  • Gia đình hoạnh phát đó đang xây một biệt thự lớn. (That suddenly wealthy family is building a large villa.)
  • Đừng có thái độ của kẻ hoạnh phát. (Don't have the attitude of a parvenu.)

Advanced Usage

• The term often implies that the rise was swift and perhaps surprising, and it can be used neutrally or with a slightly critical tone regarding the individual's new social standing.
• It can describe not just individuals but also businesses or even economic sectors that experience a sudden boom.

Variants and Related Words

• Hoạnh phát is primarily used as an adjective. The noun form to describe such a person is "kẻ hoạnh phát" or "người hoạnh phát" (a parvenu, an upstart).

Synonyms

• Parvenu: A person from a humble background who has rapidly gained wealth or power.
• Upstart: A person who has risen suddenly to a position of power or wealth, especially one who behaves arrogantly.
• Nouveau riche: Newly rich people as a social class.
• Suddenly wealthy/successful: A more neutral descriptive phrase.

Related Idioms

• While "hoạnh phát" itself is not typically part of a longer idiom, the concept relates to ideas of sudden fortune. A related Vietnamese saying is "Phú quý sinh lễ nghĩa" (Wealth and honor breed courtesy), which is sometimes cited ironically in contexts discussing new wealth.

1. Suddenly rise from a low position
   • Kẻ hoạnh phát
     Parvenu