Kiasu

Kiasu (Chinese: 驚輸; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: kiaⁿ-su) is a Hokkien word that denotes a "grasping, selfish attitude" that arises from fear of missing out.[1]

Kiasu
Hàn-jīChinese: 驚輸
Pe̍h-ōe-jīkiaⁿ-su
Tâi-lôkiann-su

Etymology and usage

Kiasu comes from the vernacular Chinese phrase 怕输, meaning 'fear of losing’. It is commonly used in Singapore and has been introduced into the English language by speakers of colloquial Singaporean English. It is often used to refer to anxious, selfish behaviour characterised by a fear of "missing out" or "losing out".[2]

Kiasu is similar in etymology to kiasi (literally, fear of death), and both terms are used to describe similar behaviour. Kiasu or kiasu-ism means taking extreme measures to achieve success, whereas kiasi or kiasi-ism means taking extreme measures to avoid risk.

See also

References
  1. "Definition of kiasu in English". Oxford Dictionaries.
  2. "Where the word kiasu came from and how it spread". South China Morning Post.

Bibliography
  • Leo, David (1995). Kiasu, Kiasi: You Think What?. ISBN 981-204-626-7.
  • See, Ee Lin (2005). My Kiasu Teenage Life in Singapore. ISBN 981-05-3016-1.
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