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.
彼は頑固だから、説得するのは難しい。
He is stubborn, so it's hard to persuade him.
頑固な性格は時に長所にもなる。
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.
彼女は意地っ張りで、絶対に謝らない。
She is stubborn and never apologizes.
Implies a strong-willed, obstinate stubbornness, often with a negative connotation of being unyielding.
強情を張らずに、素直に聞いたほうがいい。
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.
片意地を張ると周りから孤立する。
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.
彼の粘り強い交渉のおかげで契約が成立した。
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.
彼は頑として自分の意見を変えなかった。
He stubbornly refused to change his opinion.
To stubbornly stick to one's position out of pride or obstinacy.
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?
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.
うちの上司は頭が固くて、新しい提案を全く聞かない。
My boss is so stubborn; he never listens to new ideas.
Literally 'stone head', a noun for a stubborn, inflexible person.
あの石頭を説得するのは無理だ。
It's impossible to persuade that stubborn mule.
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.
彼はしつこく頼んで、ついに許可をもらった。
He persistently asked and finally got permission.
He always insists on his own way and doesn't listen to others.
彼は年を取って偏屈になった。
He became stubborn and cranky as he got older.