Definition of kiasu in English:
kiasu
noun ˈkiːəsuːˈkjɑˌsu
SE Asian A grasping, selfish attitude.
I should have gone two hours earlier: the kiasu in me is growing
adjective ˈkiːəsuːˈkjɑˌsu
SE Asian (of a person) very anxious not to miss an opportunity; grasping.
Example sentencesExamples
- Alas, we didn't get to make it in the end because we weren't kiasu enough.
- Despite the generally negative connotation of kiasu behaviour, there is also a positive side to it, one which surfaces as diligence and hard work in order to be on top of any situation.
- I think many of the rural people are complex, too shy, too kind to have this kiasu drive.
- The examples that you gave show us that it is not that we have no choice but to be kiasu, but most of us are kiasu just because we are able to.
Origin
From Chinese, 'scared to lose'.
Definition of kiasu in US English:
kiasu
adjectiveˈkyäˌso͞oˈkjɑˌsu
SE Asian (of a person) having a grasping or selfish attitude arising from a fear of missing out on something.
kiasu parents enrol their kids in more and more tuition classes
people who are materialistic and kiasu
Example sentencesExamples
- I think many of the rural people are complex, too shy, too kind to have this kiasu drive.
- The examples that you gave show us that it is not that we have no choice but to be kiasu, but most of us are kiasu just because we are able to.
- Despite the generally negative connotation of kiasu behaviour, there is also a positive side to it, one which surfaces as diligence and hard work in order to be on top of any situation.
- Alas, we didn't get to make it in the end because we weren't kiasu enough.
nounˈkyäˌso͞oˈkjɑˌsu
SE Asian A grasping, selfish attitude.
Origin
From Chinese, ‘scared to lose’.