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.
He's pigheaded, so it's hard to persuade him.
あの頑固な老人は絶対に意見を変えない。
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.
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 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.
上司は頭が固くて、新しい提案を全く聞かない。
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.
彼の片意地な態度には手を焼く。
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.
彼は忠告に聞く耳を持たず、結局失敗した。
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.
彼はいつも我を通して、周りの意見を無視する。
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.
強情な子供のように、彼は自分の非を認めなかった。
Like a pigheaded child, he refused to admit he was wrong.