Kiasu
Encyclopedia
Kiasu is a Hokkien
word that literally means 'fear of losing' (Vernacular Chinese
: 怕输). However its actual usage would imply a meaning more approaching that of "dog in a manger
", and yet not quite (Landon Mossburg). Examples of kiasu behaviour includes accumulating too much food on one's plate during a buffet lunch in case there is no more food later or joining a queue many days in advance just to ensure that one successfully gets hold of the limited free tickets to events, promotions and shows such as Singapore's annual National Day Parade
.
This word is so widely used by Singapore
ans and Malaysians that it is incorporated into their English
vocabulary (in the form of Singlish
and Manglish
). It is often used in describing the social attitudes of people, especially about Singapore
an society. Its widespread use is often because these attitudes are common: not to lose out in a highly competitive society (like the above examples) or to the extent of parent
s imposing heavy study labour on their children in their wish to make them at the very top of all other students.
Growing up with this attitude, these students often become ambitious businesspeople , with the desire to be on top in wealth and prestige regardless of whether the most prestigious careers are aligned with their true capabilities.
Kiasu has been accepted as an official word in the Oxford English Dictionary.
Kiasu is commonly compared to Kiasi
(literally, fear of death) and both are commonly used to describe behaviour where Kiasu or Kiasu-ism means to take extreme means to achieve success and Kiasi
or Kiasi-ism
means to take extreme means to avoid risk.
It is often perceived as part of Ah Beng
culture. The comic series Mr Kiasu depicts many examples of kiasu behaviour.
Hokkien
Hokkien is a Hokkien word corresponding to Standard Chinese "Fujian". It may refer to:* Hokkien dialect, a dialect of Min Nan Chinese spoken in Southern Fujian , Taiwan, South-east Asia, and elsewhere....
word that literally means 'fear of losing' (Vernacular Chinese
Vernacular Chinese
Written Vernacular Chinese refers to forms of written Chinese based on the vernacular language, in contrast to Classical Chinese, the written standard used from the Spring and Autumn Period to the early twentieth century...
: 怕输). However its actual usage would imply a meaning more approaching that of "dog in a manger
The Dog in the Manger
The story and metaphor of The Dog in the Manger derives from an old Greek fable which has been transmitted in several different versions. Interpreted variously over the centuries, it is used now of those who spitefully prevent others from having something that they themselves have no use for...
", and yet not quite (Landon Mossburg). Examples of kiasu behaviour includes accumulating too much food on one's plate during a buffet lunch in case there is no more food later or joining a queue many days in advance just to ensure that one successfully gets hold of the limited free tickets to events, promotions and shows such as Singapore's annual National Day Parade
National Day Parade
The Singapore National Day Parade is a national ceremony in Singapore that, as its name implies, includes a parade on Singapore's National Day on August 9, in commemoration of Singapore's independence that is usually held at the Padang , the National Stadium, various decentalized venues all over...
.
This word is so widely used by Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
ans and Malaysians that it is incorporated into their English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
vocabulary (in the form of Singlish
Singlish
Colloquial Singaporean English, also known as Singlish, is an English-based creole language spoken in Singapore.Singlish is commonly regarded with low prestige in Singapore. The Singaporean government and many Singaporeans alike heavily discourage the use of Singlish in favour of Standard English...
and Manglish
Manglish
Manglish is an English based creole spoken in Malaysia.The vocabulary of Manglish consists of words originating from English, Malay, Hokkien, Mandarin, Cantonese, Tamil, and to a lesser extent various other European languages, while Manglish syntax resembles southern varieties of Chinese...
). It is often used in describing the social attitudes of people, especially about Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
an society. Its widespread use is often because these attitudes are common: not to lose out in a highly competitive society (like the above examples) or to the extent of parent
Parent
A parent is a caretaker of the offspring in their own species. In humans, a parent is of a child . Children can have one or more parents, but they must have two biological parents. Biological parents consist of the male who sired the child and the female who gave birth to the child...
s imposing heavy study labour on their children in their wish to make them at the very top of all other students.
Growing up with this attitude, these students often become ambitious businesspeople , with the desire to be on top in wealth and prestige regardless of whether the most prestigious careers are aligned with their true capabilities.
Kiasu has been accepted as an official word in the Oxford English Dictionary.
Kiasu is commonly compared to Kiasi
Kiasi
Kiasi is a Hokkien phrase, literally means afraid of death, to describe the attitude of being overly afraid or timid. Kiasi is commonly compared to Kiasu and both are commonly used to describe behaviour where Kiasi or Kiasi-ism means to take extreme means to avoid risk and Kiasu or Kiasu-ism...
(literally, fear of death) and both are commonly used to describe behaviour where Kiasu or Kiasu-ism means to take extreme means to achieve success and Kiasi
Kiasi
Kiasi is a Hokkien phrase, literally means afraid of death, to describe the attitude of being overly afraid or timid. Kiasi is commonly compared to Kiasu and both are commonly used to describe behaviour where Kiasi or Kiasi-ism means to take extreme means to avoid risk and Kiasu or Kiasu-ism...
or Kiasi-ism
Kiasi
Kiasi is a Hokkien phrase, literally means afraid of death, to describe the attitude of being overly afraid or timid. Kiasi is commonly compared to Kiasu and both are commonly used to describe behaviour where Kiasi or Kiasi-ism means to take extreme means to avoid risk and Kiasu or Kiasu-ism...
means to take extreme means to avoid risk.
It is often perceived as part of Ah Beng
Ah Beng
Ah Beng, from , is a stereotype applied to a certain group of young Chinese men in Southeast Asia, particularly Singapore and Malaysia. The stereotypical view of an Ah Beng is a young Chinese man or teenager who lacks cultural refinement or indulges in criminal activity or is involved in brawls or...
culture. The comic series Mr Kiasu depicts many examples of kiasu behaviour.