(Singapore, Singlish, mildly, _, derogatory) The quality of being kiasu (overly competitive and afraid to lose out).
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Kiasuness means: The quality of being kiasu (overly competitive and afraid to lose out).. It is mainly Singaporean English and may not be understood outside that context. It is generally derogatory or offensive; worth a quiet word about how it lands on the person being described. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
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