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頑固 (がんこ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word JLPT N2 Freq. Frequency Top 20,000 Meanings 1
na-adjective, noun
stubborn ; obstinate ; pigheaded
Describes a person or attitude that refuses to change, often with a negative connotation. Can also be used for inanimate things like stains or problems that are hard to remove or solve.
This stain is stubborn and won't come out easily.
Written forms 頑がん 固こ Usage 89%
Standard kanji spelling; high frequency in news and general use.
がんこ Usage 6%
Kana spelling is common in casual writing and when the kanji are considered difficult.
ガンコ Usage 5%
Kanji 頑 stubborn, foolish, firmly Similar words 意い 地じ っ 張ぱ り Implies stubbornness out of pride or a competitive desire to not give in, often used for children or petty situations.
強ごう 情じょう Similar to 頑固 but often emphasizes a defiant, unyielding attitude against others' wishes.
Etymology The kanji 頑 (stubborn, foolish) and 固 (hard, firm) combine to express a rigid, unyielding nature. The reading がんこ is on'yomi.
