Translation guide
This English phrase describes a person who persists beyond a reasonable point, often in a negative sense. In Japanese, it is usually expressed through adjectives, verbs, or set phrases that convey stubbornness, poor timing, or an inability to read the situation.
Describing someone who won't quit even when they should, often seen as foolish or annoying.
Literally 'bad at giving up.' A common, natural way to say someone doesn't know when to quit. Used for people who keep trying long after it's appropriate.
He really doesn't know when to give up, does he?
You should know when to quit.
Literally 'bad at the moment of withdrawal.' Emphasizes poor timing in quitting, often used when someone misses the right moment to stop.
That person doesn't know when to back off, so they always get into trouble.
An adjective meaning persistent, insistent, or stubborn. Often used for someone who won't let go of an idea or keeps pestering others.
Please stop asking so persistently. (You don't know when to give up.)
Literally 'bad at the moment of death.' A strong, somewhat dramatic phrase meaning someone is ungracious in defeat or refuses to accept the end.
You lost, but you still don't know when to give up.
Focusing on the social aspect: not realizing that persistence is inappropriate or annoying others.
Literally 'can't read the air.' A very common phrase for someone who lacks social awareness, including not knowing when to stop pushing an issue.
He can't read the room and keeps arguing forever.
A na-adjective meaning insensitive or thoughtless. Can describe someone who doesn't realize their persistence is bothering others.
In some contexts, 'not knowing when to give up' can be positive, describing tenacity. Japanese has separate expressions for this.
An i-adjective meaning tenacious or persistent in a good way. Used for someone who doesn't give up easily and achieves results.
She negotiated tenaciously and got the contract.
Simply 'not giving up.' Neutral to positive, depending on context. Often used in motivational contexts.
Let's keep trying without giving up until the end.
English 'not knowing when to give up' is usually negative. In Japanese, 諦めが悪い is the closest negative equivalent. Using 諦めない or 粘り強い in a negative context can sound odd. Pay attention to whether you mean stubbornness (bad) or tenacity (good).
諦めが悪い focuses on the inability to accept defeat or stop trying. しつこい is broader, covering persistent behavior that annoys others, like repeatedly asking for something. しつこい can also describe flavors or stains that linger.
無神経に同じことを何度も聞くのはやめて。
Stop being insensitive and asking the same thing over and over.