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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This wire is hard and unbending.
General word for 'hard' or 'stiff'. Can imply unbending when context is clear.
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.
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.
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.
My grandfather is stubborn, but he understands if you talk to him.
I'm at my wit's end with his obstinate attitude.
My father is strict about time and won't tolerate lateness.
This material is hard and doesn't bend at all.
A frame made of a rigid material.
The procedure was delayed because of the inflexible rules.
Idiomatic expression meaning 'by the book' or 'inflexibly sticking to rules'. Often used critically.
An unbending, by-the-book response will lose customers' trust.