المعنى
Someone who is very difficult to persuade.
خلفية ثقافية
In Javanese culture, direct confrontation is avoided. Calling someone 'kepala batu' to their face is very bold. It's more often used to describe someone behind their back. Batak culture is often stereotyped as being more direct and firm. Here, 'kepala batu' might be used more openly in a heated debate without necessarily ending the friendship. In Jakarta, 'batu' is used as a standalone slang word. 'Duh, batu banget sih lo!' (Ugh, you're so stubborn!) Minang culture values 'pintar bersilat lidah' (being clever with words). A 'kepala batu' person is seen as lacking the wit to negotiate or adapt.
Use with 'Si'
Add 'si' before 'kepala batu' to turn it into a noun meaning 'the stubborn one'. It's very natural!
Watch the Hierarchy
Never call your Indonesian boss 'kepala batu' unless you want to be fired. Use 'teguh' if you must describe their firmness.
المعنى
Someone who is very difficult to persuade.
Use with 'Si'
Add 'si' before 'kepala batu' to turn it into a noun meaning 'the stubborn one'. It's very natural!
Watch the Hierarchy
Never call your Indonesian boss 'kepala batu' unless you want to be fired. Use 'teguh' if you must describe their firmness.
The 'Batu' Slang
In Jakarta, you can just say 'Batu banget sih!' to sound like a local.
اختبر نفسك
Choose the best word to complete the sentence.
Budi tidak mau dengar nasihat dokter. Dia memang ____.
'Kepala batu' is the idiom for someone who doesn't listen to advice.
Fill in the blank with the correct idiom.
Jangan jadi orang ____, kita harus bekerja sama.
The context of 'working together' implies the opposite of being stubborn.
Which situation best fits the use of 'kepala batu'?
Situation A: Someone has a headache. Situation B: Someone refuses to change their mind despite being wrong.
'Kepala batu' refers to stubbornness, not physical pain.
Complete the dialogue.
Siska: 'Andi tetap mau pergi ke gunung padahal ada badai.' | Teman: 'Wah, Andi memang ____.'
Going to a mountain during a storm despite warnings is a classic 'kepala batu' move.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
وسائل تعلم بصرية
بنك التمارين
4 تمارينBudi tidak mau dengar nasihat dokter. Dia memang ____.
'Kepala batu' is the idiom for someone who doesn't listen to advice.
Jangan jadi orang ____, kita harus bekerja sama.
The context of 'working together' implies the opposite of being stubborn.
Situation A: Someone has a headache. Situation B: Someone refuses to change their mind despite being wrong.
'Kepala batu' refers to stubbornness, not physical pain.
Siska: 'Andi tetap mau pergi ke gunung padahal ada badai.' | Teman: 'Wah, Andi memang ____.'
Going to a mountain during a storm despite warnings is a classic 'kepala batu' move.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةNo, it's not a swear word, but it is a criticism. It's safe for general use among friends.
Yes! You can say 'Maaf, saya memang agak kepala batu' (Sorry, I'm a bit stubborn) to admit your fault.
'Keras kepala' is more general and slightly more formal. 'Kepala batu' is more idiomatic and visual.
You can use 'kekeras-kepalaan'. There isn't a common noun form for 'kepala batu' specifically.
Rarely in formal meetings. In a meeting, you'd say 'kurang fleksibel' (less flexible).
Almost never. It usually implies the stubbornness is annoying or irrational.
Yes, use 'teguh pendirian' which means 'firm in one's stance'.
Yes, children use it to tease each other, and parents use it to describe children.
Yes, many Indonesian pop and rock songs use it to describe difficult lovers.
The meaning is the same across Indonesia, but the slang version 'batu' is mostly a Jakarta thing.
عبارات ذات صلة
Keras kepala
synonymHard headed / Stubborn
Muka tembok
similarWall faced (Shameless)
Tegar tengkuk
specialized formStiff-necked
Besar kepala
contrastBig headed (Arrogant)
