Translation guide
Describes someone or something that is rigid, inflexible, or uncompromising in attitude, behavior, or physical form.
Describing a person who refuses to change their mind, compromise, or adapt.
The most common and natural word for stubbornness. Can be used for people, attitudes, or resistance to change.
彼は頑固で、自分の意見を曲げない。
He is stubborn and won't budge from his opinion.
Literally 'flexibility doesn't work', meaning someone is inflexible or unable to adapt. Very common in everyday speech.
あの上司は融通が利かないから、提案しても無駄だ。
That boss is so inflexible, there's no point in making suggestions.
Implies obstinacy and a strong-willed refusal to yield. Slightly more formal or literary than 頑固.
彼女は強情だから、謝ることはないだろう。
She's so obstinate, she probably won't apologize.
Means 'rigid' or 'stiff', often used for thinking or systems. More formal and less common for personal traits.
硬直した考え方では新しい問題に対応できない。
With a rigid way of thinking, you can't deal with new problems.
Describing an object or material that does not bend easily.
The simplest and most direct way to say something doesn't bend. Used for physical objects.
この針金は硬くて曲がらない。
This wire is hard and unbending.
General word for 'hard' or 'stiff'. Can imply unbending when context is clear.
この素材は硬くて、まったく曲がらない。
This material is hard and doesn't bend at all.
Literary or technical term for rigidity, often used for character or physical stiffness. Rare in daily conversation.
Describing a person, system, or rule that is severe and allows no exceptions.
Means strict, rigid, or severe, often used for rules, discipline, or a person's character.
彼は規則に厳格で、例外を認めない。
He is strict about the rules and allows no exceptions.
Similar to 融通が利かない but used attributively. Emphasizes lack of flexibility in rules or systems.
融通の利かない規則のせいで、手続きが遅れた。
The procedure was delayed because of the inflexible rules.
頑固 (stubborn) is the most common and neutral for personal inflexibility. 強情 (obstinate) carries a stronger negative nuance of willful defiance. 厳格 (strict) is used for rules, discipline, or a stern character, not just stubbornness.
祖父は頑固だが、話せばわかってくれる。
My grandfather is stubborn, but he understands if you talk to him.
彼の強情な態度には手を焼いている。
I'm at my wit's end with his obstinate attitude.
父は時間に厳格で、遅刻は許さない。
My father is strict about time and won't tolerate lateness.
父は時間に厳格で、遅刻は許さない。
My father is strict about time and won't tolerate lateness.
A frame made of a rigid material.
Idiomatic expression meaning 'by the book' or 'inflexibly sticking to rules'. Often used critically.
杓子定規な対応では、顧客の信頼を失う。
An unbending, by-the-book response will lose customers' trust.