Translation guide
The quality of being very determined and not giving up easily. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various words and phrases that emphasize persistence, endurance, and holding on, with nuances depending on the context.
His tenacity led to success.
This job requires tenacity.
Patience and perseverance, often used for long-term efforts. Slightly more about steady endurance than aggressive persistence.
If you persevere with tenacity, you'll be rewarded someday.
Tenacity bordering on obsession; a deep-seated, almost spiritual determination. Can have negative connotations of being unable to let go.
He tracked down the criminal with sheer tenacity.
Describing the act of gripping firmly or refusing to let go, often metaphorically.
Persistence that can be annoying; often used for someone who won't take no for an answer. Can be negative, but in some contexts it shows tenacity.
Often has a negative nuance of being bothersome or overly persistent. Use with care.
I gave in to his tenacity (persistence).
Literally 'to bite and hang on', meaning to tenaciously refuse to give up in an argument or competition.
Emphasizing resilience and the ability to endure hardships without giving up.
Indomitable spirit; never yielding. Often used in compounds like 不屈の精神 (indomitable spirit).
I admire his tenacious spirit.
Not discouraged; remaining tenacious despite setbacks. A casual, everyday term.
She never gives up, no matter how many times she fails.
粘り強さ emphasizes active, persistent effort like sticking to a task, while 根気 is more about patient endurance over a long period. 粘り強さ is closer to 'tenacity', 根気 to 'perseverance'.
Direct translations like 粘着性 (adhesiveness) are not used for the abstract quality of tenacity. Stick to the options above.
He tenaciously held on until the very end.