Kiasu is a Malaysian and Singaporean term that refers to the fear of losing or missing out on something, often used to describe a strong desire to avoid taking risks or making mistakes.
"Kiasu" Examples
Kiasu
Kiasu is a Singaporean Hokkien term that has entered the English language, particularly in the context of Southeast Asian culture. It roughly translates to "fear of missing out" or "fear of losing out".
Here are 5 usage examples:
"The kiasu nature of the Singaporean students meant they were meticulous in completing their assignments." "Her kiasu friend wouldn't let anyone else try the new restaurant first, fearing they'd get the last table." "As a kiasu traveler, she always booked her flights and hotels well in advance to avoid sold-out situations." "He was a kiasu competitor who would stop at nothing to win the business deal." "The kiasu attitude of students in the prestigious school meant they were extremely competitive, but also stressed out."