karoshi

Definition

Death, such as from heart attack or stroke, brought on by overwork or job-related stress.

Etymology

Borrowed from Japanese 過労死 (karōshi), from 過労 (karō, “overwork”) + 死 (shi, “death”). Doublet of guolaosi and gwarosa.

Example Sentences

• "For a while he began to speak Japanese, rather slangy, never having seemed to learn it — karoshi for death from overwork, yakitaori-ya for eatery, and gaijin for clumsy foreigner."
• "Second, we discuss the problem of karoshi, which is unique to Japan. Karoshi has become an increasingly serious problem."
• "[…] I am a workaholic. […] The Japanese have a word for the problem: karōshi. It means “death from overwork.”"