Translation guide
A 'smash hit' refers to something extremely popular and successful, especially in entertainment like movies, songs, or shows. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various words and phrases that convey huge success, popularity, or being a blockbuster.
大ヒット映画
a smash hit movie
その曲は大ヒットした。
The song was a smash hit.
Describing a movie, song, show, etc. that is a huge commercial and popular success.
The most direct and common way to say 'smash hit' for movies, songs, books, etc. It literally means 'big hit'.
その映画は大ヒットした。
That movie was a smash hit.
彼女の新曲が大ヒット中だ。
Her new song is a smash hit right now.
Literally 'big hit' or 'great success', often used for products, events, or entertainment that exceed expectations. Slightly more colloquial than 大ヒット.
このゲームは大当たりだった。
This game was a smash hit.
Means 'great success' and can be used for any big achievement, including entertainment hits. Broader than just commercial success.
コンサートは大成功だった。
The concert was a smash hit.
Means 'record-breaking hit', used when emphasizing the scale of success with numbers.
そのアルバムは記録的なヒットとなった。
The album became a record-breaking smash hit.
Specifically referring to a movie that is a huge box-office success.
The standard term for a blockbuster movie. Combines 'big hit' with 'movie'.
今年の夏は大ヒット映画がたくさん公開された。
Many smash hit movies were released this summer.
Refers to a 'blockbuster' or 'epic' movie, emphasizing large scale and production budget. Often used for big-budget films.
その超大作は世界中でヒットした。
That blockbuster was a smash hit worldwide.
Describing something that becomes a widespread phenomenon or fad.
Means 'big boom' or 'craze', used for things that become explosively popular for a period.
そのおもちゃは子供たちの間で大ブームになった。
That toy became a smash hit among children.
Literally 'social phenomenon', used when a hit is so big it influences society or culture.
そのドラマは社会現象になった。
That drama became a smash hit and a social phenomenon.
大ヒット is the most common for entertainment hits. 大当たり implies exceeding expectations, often used for products or events. 大成功 is broader and can be used for any kind of great success, not just commercial.
映画が大ヒットした。
The movie was a smash hit.
新商品が大当たりした。
The new product was a smash hit.
イベントは大成功だった。
The event was a great success.
Do not translate 'smash hit' literally as スマッシュヒット. While sometimes used in Japanese as a loanword for a powerful shot in sports, it is not used for a popular success. Use 大ヒット instead.
彼女のデビュー小説は大ヒットした。
Her debut novel was a smash hit.
そのゲームは一夜にして大ヒットとなった。
The game became a smash hit overnight.