Translation guide
The English word "hard-headed" can mean stubborn, practical, or literally having a hard head. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
Describing a person who is obstinate or refuses to listen to reason.
The most common and direct equivalent for 'stubborn' or 'hard-headed'. Can be used as a noun or na-adjective.
彼は頑固だから、説得するのは難しい。
He's hard-headed, so it's difficult to persuade him.
Literally 'head is hard', this is a very natural idiom meaning stubborn or inflexible in thinking.
うちの上司は頭が固くて、新しいアイデアを受け入れない。
My boss is hard-headed and won't accept new ideas.
Emphasizes stubbornness out of pride or willfulness. Often used for someone who refuses to back down.
彼女は意地っ張りで、自分の間違いを認めようとしない。
She's hard-headed and won't admit her mistakes.
A slightly more formal or literary term for obstinate, headstrong.
彼の強情な態度には手を焼いている。
I'm at my wit's end with his hard-headed attitude.
Describing a person who is shrewd, pragmatic, and not swayed by emotions.
Means realistic or practical. Often used for a hard-headed approach to business or problems.
彼はとても現実的な経営者だ。
He's a very hard-headed businessman.
Literally 'feet on the ground', meaning down-to-earth, practical, and sensible.
彼女は地に足のついた考え方をする。
She has a hard-headed way of thinking.
Means sound, steady, and reliable. Often used for a hard-headed, no-nonsense approach.
Describing someone whose head is physically tough or resistant to impact.
Can be used literally, but note that it is more commonly an idiom for stubbornness. Context is key.
This phrase is usually interpreted as 'stubborn' unless the physical context is very clear.
彼は頭が硬いから、ぶつけても大丈夫だ。
He's hard-headed, so he'll be fine even if he bumps it.
While 'hard-headed' can be literally translated as 頭が硬い, this phrase is overwhelmingly used as an idiom meaning 'stubborn'. Use it with caution for physical hardness.
彼は堅実な投資家として知られている。
He's known as a hard-headed investor.