Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective Singapore Afraid to lose out.
  • noun Singapore A fear of losing used to describe a person who is overly competitive.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From Hokkien ( POJ: kiaⁿ-su, kiaⁿ-si); literally: "afraid to lose"

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word kiasu.

Examples

  • Called KiasuParents. com -- the word "kiasu" means overly competitive -- it allows parents to compare notes on private learning centres, with 21,000 members registered since September

    www.hardwarezone.com.sg 2010

  • The huge jump in prices did not surprise me, because Singaporeans are basically very "kiasu" at heart, causing prices to escalate at the prospect of the supply of COEs falling.

    TODAYonline 2010

  • For the benefit of Singaporeans, it is much better for them to be less 'kiasu' and adopt a more accommodative attitude, especially with neighbours like Malaysia.

    The "thirteen million plus Ringgit" guy rambles.... 2009

  • Because both of us were so kiasu that the other person would eat more.

    Pocky! Pocky! Pocky! Jerine 2009

  • Singaporeans 'lack of passion with literature could perhaps be explained by the republic's dominant kiasu culture?

    The Literary Landscape of Singapore Sharon Bakar 2005

  • In a kiasu culture, that which brings little promise of quick money, or doesn't have potential capital to get a bank lona on, is not worth "enjoying/studying" as a student, and definitely not as a semi-professional pursuit.

    The Literary Landscape of Singapore Sharon Bakar 2005

  • Okay, I sound every bit the kiasu (afraid to lose out) music junkie, but with such great vocals and lyrics fused into so many tracks, I'm blessed to have grabbed the last copy of this CD from the shelf (it's the last piece, the lady told me reluctantly).

    babycartercl Diary Entry babycartercl 2007

  • Are they picking up the astuteness, or the state of being senile and kiasu-ism.

    babycartercl Diary Entry babycartercl 2006

  • Sorry, people, but kiasu-ism is intolerable and infectious at the same time.

    babycartercl Diary Entry babycartercl 2006

  • I mean, Singaporeans, being the kiasu pple would bring their own bags, and not spend money on buying the plastic.

    yanxious Diary Entry yanxious 2005

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.