stubborn and aloof; proudly independent
Describes a person who is obstinate in their own ways and keeps a proud distance from others, often with a nuance of noble isolation. A yojijukugo used in literary or formal contexts.
With a stubborn and aloof attitude, he made no effort to get close to anyone.
狷介孤高の精神は、時に芸術家の孤独な生き方に例えられる。
The spirit of proud independence is sometimes likened to the solitary life of an artist.
孤高 alone means 'aloof' or 'standing alone in superiority', while 狷介孤高 adds the nuance of stubbornness or obstinacy.
狷介 means 'obstinate' or 'narrow-minded', and is rarely used alone; 狷介孤高 combines it with aloofness.
A yojijukugo combining 狷介 (obstinate, narrow-minded) and 孤高 (aloof, proudly solitary). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it is a literary compound used to describe a stubbornly independent character.