Translation guide
The quality of being unreasonably determined not to change one's mind, opinion, or course of action. In Japanese, this is expressed through nouns, adjectives, and idiomatic phrases that emphasize inflexibility, obstinacy, or willfulness.
Describing a person's character or attitude as stubborn, obstinate, or headstrong.
The most common and neutral term for stubbornness. Can describe both a personality trait and a temporary attitude.
He is stubborn, so it's hard to persuade him.
A stubborn personality can sometimes be a strength.
Describes someone who stubbornly sticks to their own way out of pride or obstinacy, often in a childish or petty manner.
She is stubborn and never apologizes.
Implies a strong-willed, obstinate stubbornness, often with a negative connotation of being unyielding.
Don't be so stubborn; you should listen honestly.
A less common term for perverse stubbornness, often implying an unreasonable insistence on one's own way.
If you insist on being stubborn, you'll end up isolated.
Expressing stubbornness as a positive trait of perseverance or determination.
Describes someone who is tenacious and persistent, not giving up easily. Often used positively.
Thanks to his tenacious negotiation, the contract was signed.
Can mean persistent or tenacious, but often has a negative nuance of being annoyingly stubborn or insistent.
Often implies annoyance; use with care.
Describing a situation where someone stubbornly refuses to change their mind or adapt.
Literally 'stubbornly won't listen', used when someone absolutely refuses to heed advice or change their opinion.
He stubbornly refused to change his opinion.
To stubbornly stick to one's position out of pride or obstinacy.
To insist on one's own way selfishly; to be willful.
Using idiomatic expressions to describe stubbornness as a negative trait.
Literally 'hard-headed', meaning inflexible in thinking, stubbornly adhering to old ideas.
My boss is so stubborn; he never listens to new ideas.
Literally 'stone head', a noun for a stubborn, inflexible person.
Describes a cranky, eccentric stubbornness, often associated with being set in one's ways.
頑固 is the most general and neutral term for stubbornness. 意地っ張り implies a childish or petty obstinacy driven by pride. 強情 suggests a strong-willed, unyielding stubbornness, often with a negative connotation.
Direct translations like 'stubbornness' as a noun are not always natural in Japanese. Often it's better to use adjectives (頑固な) or verb phrases (意地を張る) to describe the behavior.
He persistently asked and finally got permission.
そんなに意地を張らないで、素直に謝ったらどう？
Why don't you stop being so stubborn and just apologize?
He always insists on his own way and doesn't listen to others.
It's impossible to persuade that stubborn mule.
彼は年を取って偏屈になった。
He became stubborn and cranky as he got older.