Translation guide
Describes someone who is stubbornly unwilling to change their mind, often in an unreasonable or annoying way.
To describe a person who is obstinately attached to their own opinion or way of doing things, even when it's clearly wrong or impractical.
The most common and versatile word for stubbornness. It can range from neutral to negative depending on context. Often used for people who won't budge.
To describe someone who keeps doing something despite clear evidence or advice against it, often to their own detriment.
There is no direct Japanese word that perfectly matches the animal metaphor 'pigheaded'. Using 豚 (ぶた, pig) in a phrase would sound bizarre and unnatural. Stick to the provided expressions for stubbornness.
頑固 is a general term for stubbornness and can be used in neutral contexts (e.g., 頑固な汚れ 'stubborn stain'). 意地っ張り specifically refers to a person's character and implies stubbornness out of pride or contrariness, making it closer to 'pigheaded' in many cases.
彼は頑固だから、説得するのは難しい。
He's pigheaded, so it's hard to persuade him.
That pigheaded old man never changes his opinion.
Emphasizes stubbornness out of pride or a desire to have one's own way. Often used for someone who refuses to back down even when they know they're wrong.
She's so pigheaded she won't admit her mistakes.
Literally 'hard-headed'. A common phrase meaning inflexible in thinking, unable to accept new ideas. Similar to 'pigheaded' in its negative connotation.
My boss is so pigheaded, he won't even listen to new ideas.
A more literary term for obstinate stubbornness, often implying a willful refusal to listen. Less common in everyday speech.
His pigheaded attitude is a real pain.
Literally 'doesn't have an ear to listen'. Describes someone who completely ignores advice or warnings. Very natural for pigheaded refusal to listen.
He was pigheaded and ignored all advice, and ended up failing.
Means to insist on having one's own way, often unreasonably. Captures the pigheaded insistence on one's own opinion.
He always insists on his own way, pigheadedly ignoring everyone else's opinions.
Stubborn and unyielding, often with a nuance of being willfully obstinate. Slightly stronger than 頑固.
Like a pigheaded child, he refused to admit he was wrong.