also: なんち
noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
intractable; hard to cure
Primarily used in medical contexts to describe diseases or conditions that are difficult to treat or resistant to therapy.
noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
rebellious; obstinate; refractory
Describes a person or attitude that is stubbornly resistant to control or authority; less common than the medical sense.
This disease is intractable and takes a long time to treat.
A new treatment for refractory cancer has been developed.
He has an obstinate personality and won't listen to anyone.
Standard kanji form; the reading なんじ is the most common.
Alternate reading なんち is less common and may be encountered in older or specialized contexts.
Compound of 難 (difficult) and 治 (cure/govern). The medical sense 'hard to cure' is the primary modern usage, while the sense 'rebellious' extends the idea of being hard to govern.