Signification
Unwilling to change one's mind
Contexte culturel
In Javanese culture, 'keras kepala' is often contrasted with 'manut' (obedient/following). Being 'manut' is a highly valued trait in children and subordinates. Batak people are sometimes stereotypically described as 'keras' (hard/tough) in their speech and principles. What others call 'keras kepala,' a Batak person might call 'prinsip' (principle). In Jakarta, the term 'batu' (stone) has become a popular shorthand for 'keras kepala' among Gen Z and Millennials. Calling a boss 'keras kepala' is a major 'social suicide' move. Instead, employees use euphemisms like 'kurang fleksibel' (less flexible).
The 'Batu' Shortcut
If you want to sound like a local in Jakarta, just say 'Batu banget sih!' when someone is being stubborn.
Watch the Tone
Calling an elder 'keras kepala' is very rude. Use 'teguh pendirian' if you must describe their firmness.
Signification
Unwilling to change one's mind
The 'Batu' Shortcut
If you want to sound like a local in Jakarta, just say 'Batu banget sih!' when someone is being stubborn.
Watch the Tone
Calling an elder 'keras kepala' is very rude. Use 'teguh pendirian' if you must describe their firmness.
Use with 'Sifat'
To sound more natural when talking about a person's character, say 'Sifatnya keras kepala' (His/her nature is stubborn).
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct word to complete the idiom.
Dia tidak mau dengar nasihat saya, dia sangat keras _______.
The complete idiom is 'keras kepala'. 'Keras hati' means determined/cruel, and 'keras tangan' is not a standard idiom.
Which sentence uses 'keras kepala' correctly?
Pilih kalimat yang benar:
Option B uses the idiom to describe a person's stubborn behavior. Option A confuses it with a headache. Option C applies it to an object. Option D uses it literally.
Match the Indonesian phrase with its English equivalent.
Pasangkan kata-kata berikut:
All pairs are correctly matched to help distinguish nuances.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Ayo kita pergi sekarang, nanti macet.' B: 'Tidak, aku mau tunggu 10 menit lagi.' A: 'Kamu kok _______ banget sih?'
The context of refusing to leave despite a good reason points to 'keras kepala'. 'Besar kepala' means arrogant.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesDia tidak mau dengar nasihat saya, dia sangat keras _______.
The complete idiom is 'keras kepala'. 'Keras hati' means determined/cruel, and 'keras tangan' is not a standard idiom.
Pilih kalimat yang benar:
Option B uses the idiom to describe a person's stubborn behavior. Option A confuses it with a headache. Option C applies it to an object. Option D uses it literally.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
All pairs are correctly matched to help distinguish nuances.
A: 'Ayo kita pergi sekarang, nanti macet.' B: 'Tidak, aku mau tunggu 10 menit lagi.' A: 'Kamu kok _______ banget sih?'
The context of refusing to leave despite a good reason points to 'keras kepala'. 'Besar kepala' means arrogant.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questions90% of the time, yes. It implies irrationality. If you want to be positive, use 'teguh pendirian'.
Yes, usually in a self-deprecating or joking way: 'Maaf, saya memang agak keras kepala.'
The most common opposite is 'penurut' (obedient/compliant) or 'fleksibel' (flexible).
'Kepala batu' is much stronger. It's like the difference between 'stubborn' and 'completely impossible to talk to'.
Yes! It's very common to describe cats, dogs, or donkeys as keras kepala.
You can say 'kekeras-kepalaan', but it's better to say 'sifat keras kepala'.
No, it's a standard idiom used in newspapers, books, and daily speech.
No, that would mean a physically hard head, like a helmet or a skull.
'Ngeyel' is more about the act of arguing back when you're wrong. 'Keras kepala' is the general trait.
In the Indonesian Bible, 'tegar tengkuk' is used for 'stiff-necked', which is a formal version of keras kepala.
Expressions liées
Kepala batu
specialized formStone-headed / Extremely stubborn
Teguh pendirian
contrastFirm in one's stance
Besar kepala
similarArrogant / Conceited
Ngeyel
synonymTo argue back stubbornly
