節を曲げない · i-adjective
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | 節を曲げない | 節を曲げなくない |
| Polite | 節を曲げないです | 節を曲げなくないですalso 節を曲げなくありません |
| Past polite | 節を曲げなかったです | 節を曲げなくなかったですalso 節を曲げなくありませんでした |
| Past | 節を曲げなかった | 節を曲げなくなかった |
| Te-form | 節を曲げなくて | 節を曲げなくなくて |
| Adverbial | 節を曲げなく | |
| Conditional | 節を曲げなければ | 節を曲げなくなければ |
| Tara conditional | 節を曲げなかったら | 節を曲げなくなかったら |
stick to one's principles; not budge an inch
Describes someone who remains firm in their beliefs or decisions, refusing to compromise. Often used positively for integrity, but can imply stubbornness depending on context.
He is a person who never compromises his principles, no matter the pressure.
An uncompromising attitude can sometimes cause friction with others.
The expression combines 節 (せつ, 'joint; node; principle') with 曲げない (まげない, 'not bend'), literally 'not bending one's joints/principles.' The exact historical origin is uncertain, but it is a well-established idiomatic phrase.