# Karoshi

/kəˈɹoʊʃi/ (US) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/karoshi
Updated: 2026-10-14

## Definition

a Japanese word for death caused by working too many hours. It usually happens because of a heart attack or stroke brought on by extreme stress and lack of sleep.

For teachers: death resulting from occupational sudden cardiac arrest or stroke due to severe overwork and stress. A loanword from Japanese, it is used in sociological and medical contexts to describe the phenomenon of fatal exhaustion.

## Examples

- The government is trying to pass laws to prevent karoshi.
- After the young employee died from a heart attack following months of overtime, the media labeled it a case of karoshi.
- Sociologists argue that karoshi is not merely a medical condition but a systemic byproduct of a corporate culture that prioritizes extreme loyalty and long hours over individual well-being.

## Usage notes

- Typically used as a loanword in English to refer specifically to the Japanese cultural phenomenon.

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