Translation guide
Describing someone who is unwilling to change their mind or behavior, often in a negative sense. Japanese has many nuanced words for stubbornness, ranging from mild inflexibility to outright obstinacy.
Describing someone who is generally stubborn or inflexible in their opinions or actions.
A common and straightforward term for a stubborn person. Slightly negative but widely used.
彼は頑固者だから、説得するのは難しい。
He's a stubborn person, so it's hard to persuade him.
Refers to someone who stubbornly sticks to their own way out of pride or obstinacy. Often used for children or in mild contexts.
あの子は意地っ張りで、絶対に謝らない。
That kid is stubborn and never apologizes.
A somewhat old-fashioned or literary term for stubbornness, implying a strong-willed and unyielding nature.
彼の片意地な態度には手を焼く。
I'm at my wits' end with his stubborn attitude.
Describing someone who is extremely stubborn, often unreasonably so, with a negative connotation.
A stronger version of 意地っ張り, implying obstinacy and a refusal to listen to reason.
強情っぱりな上司に困っている。
I'm having trouble with my pigheaded boss.
Literally 'twisted navel', meaning a contrarian or someone who stubbornly goes against the grain. Often used for someone who is perversely stubborn.
彼はへそ曲がりで、みんなの意見に反対する。
He's a contrarian and opposes everyone's opinion.
A literary term for a stubborn and intolerant person, often used in formal writing.
Describing someone who insists on doing things their own way, often ignoring others' advice.
Literally 'strong self', meaning someone who is strong-willed and stubbornly asserts their own opinions. Can be negative or neutral depending on context.
彼女は我が強いから、チームワークが苦手だ。
She's strong-willed, so she's not good at teamwork.
Means 'assertive' or 'insistent on one's own opinions'. More neutral than 我が強い, but can imply stubbornness.
自己主張が強い人と話すのは疲れる。
Talking with assertive people is tiring.
Specifically referring to an elderly person who is set in their ways.
Literally 'stubborn old man', often used for a father or older man who is inflexible and traditional.
うちの頑固親父は新しい技術を受け入れない。
My stubborn old man won't accept new technology.
Literally 'stone head', meaning someone who is inflexible and stubborn, often used for older people set in their ways.
頑固者 is the most general and neutral term for a stubborn person. 意地っ張り implies stubbornness out of pride or a desire to not lose face, often used for children or in mild situations. 強情っぱり is stronger and more negative, suggesting obstinacy and unreasonableness.
Direct translations like '頑固な人' are grammatically correct but less natural than using specific nouns like 頑固者 or 意地っ張り. Using adjectives alone can sound awkward.
彼は本当に頑固者で、誰の言うことも聞かない。
He's such a stubborn person; he never listens to anyone.
そんなに意地っ張りにならないで！
Don't be so stubborn!
He has a stubborn and intolerant personality, so he easily clashes with others.
祖父は石頭で、昔のやり方にこだわる。
My grandfather is stubborn and sticks to old ways.