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鼻っ柱が強い (はなっぱしらがつよい) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, i-adjective
strong-willed ; hard-nosed ; unyielding
Describes a person who is assertive, determined, and not easily swayed; often carries a nuance of stubbornness or headstrong attitude. The expression literally refers to a 'strong bridge of the nose', metaphorically suggesting a firm, unyielding stance.
See also: 鼻っ柱の強い
対たい
に
曲ま
げ
ない
。
He's so strong-willed that once he decides something, he never backs down.
Similar words 鼻はな っ 柱ぱしら の 強つよ い Variant form with の instead of が; meaning is essentially the same, but 鼻っ柱が強い is more common in modern usage.
頑がん 固こ Means 'stubborn' in a more negative sense, focusing on inflexibility, while 鼻っ柱が強い can imply positive determination as well.
気き が 強つよ い Means 'strong-minded' or 'tough', but is a broader term for mental fortitude, not specifically about assertiveness or stubbornness.
Etymology The phrase combines 鼻っ柱 (はなっぱしら, 'bridge of the nose') with 強い (つよい, 'strong'). The nose bridge is metaphorically associated with a person's pride or assertiveness, so a 'strong nose bridge' implies a forceful, unyielding personality. The exact historical origin is uncertain, but it is a common idiomatic expression in modern Japanese.