Translation guide
How to express doing something in a stubborn, persistent, or obstinate manner in Japanese.
He stubbornly refused to change his opinion.
Implies stubbornness out of pride or obstinacy, often in a childish or emotional way.
She stubbornly refused to apologize.
Similar to 頑固に but can sound slightly more negative, emphasizing obstinacy.
He stubbornly refused to admit his mistake.
Used with a negative verb to mean 'no matter what', conveying stubborn refusal.
He stubbornly insisted on going.
Describes continuing to do something with determination, often in a positive or neutral sense.
Means 'tenaciously' or 'persistently', with a positive connotation of not giving up.
He stubbornly continued the negotiations.
Often negative, meaning 'persistently' or 'insistently' to the point of annoyance.
He stubbornly repeated the same question.
Literary or formal expression meaning 'firmly' or 'stubbornly', often used with negatives.
Describes a physical refusal to move or change position.
Literally 'won't move', used for people or animals that stubbornly stay put.
The dog stubbornly sat there and wouldn't move.
頑固に (stubbornly) often has a negative nuance of being unreasonably obstinate, while 粘り強く (tenaciously) is usually positive, implying admirable persistence. Choose based on whether the stubbornness is seen as a flaw or a virtue.
In many contexts, English uses 'stubbornly' where Japanese would use a specific verb or phrase (e.g., 言うことを聞かない for 'stubbornly refuses to listen'). Direct adverbial translation can sound unnatural.
He stubbornly refused the offer.