karoshi

American  

[kuh-roh-shee] / kəˈroʊ ʃi /

noun

1. (in Japan) death, as from a heart attack or suicide, due to overwork or work-related stress and exhaustion.

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karoshi British  

/ kaˈrəʊʃɪ /

noun

1. (in Japan) death caused by overwork

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Etymology

Origin of karoshi

First recorded in 1985–90; from Japanese karōshi, literally, “overwork death,” equivalent to ka- “excess” + rō “work” + shi “death”

Example Sentences

She mentions the Japanese word karoshi, a term that means death from overwork.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 24, 2024

In Japan, where long work hours are also commonplace, there’s a word for dying from the stress of overwork: karoshi.

From Slate • May 24, 2022

Japan has given the world the term karoshi, or death by overwork.

From Economist • Aug. 2, 2018

Labor unions say the rules prevent abuses and "karoshi", the coined-in-Japan term for death by overwork.

From Reuters • Jun. 23, 2014

The system has taken a worker-friendly stance in the past; families of those who were suicide victims of karoshi, or death from overwork, have received compensation through the system.

From Time • Mar. 31, 2011