Stubbornness is the inability to adapt one's views or methods despite external input.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Describes a person who refuses to change their mind.
- Often implies a lack of flexibility or cooperation.
- Can also describe things that are difficult to remove.
概要
「頑固」は、自分の信念ややり方を強く守り、他者の助言や状況の変化に左右されない様子を表す形容詞です。ポジティブな文脈では「信念が強い」「意志が固い」と評価されますが、多くの場合、柔軟性に欠けるというネガティブなニュアンスで用いられます。2) 使用パターン: 人の性格に対して使う場合は「頑固な人」「頑固な性格」という形が一般的です。また、「頑固に～する」と副詞的に使うこともあります。物事に対して使う場合は「頑固な汚れ」のように、取り除くのが非常に困難であることを比喩的に表現します。3) 一般的な文脈: 家族や職場での人間関係において、意見が対立した際に「あの人は頑固だ」と表現することがよくあります。また、年齢を重ねた人が新しい技術や考え方を受け入れない様子を指す際にも頻繁に使われます。4) 類語比較: 「強情（ごうじょう）」は自分の意志を押し通そうとする激しさに重点があり、「意固地（いこじ）」は一度決めたことを意地になって変えないという少し卑屈なニュアンスが含まれます。「頑固」はそれらよりも一般的で、性格の固定的な特徴を指す際に最も広く使われます。
Examples
父は頑固で、自分の考えを曲げない。
everydayMy father is stubborn and won't change his mind.
この頑固な汚れを落とすのは大変だ。
formalIt is difficult to remove this stubborn stain.
あまり頑固になると嫌われるよ。
informalYou'll be disliked if you're too stubborn.
頑固なまでのこだわりが、この製品の品質を支えている。
academicHis uncompromising dedication supports the quality of this product.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
頑固一徹
Stubborn and unyielding
頑固なまでに
To a stubborn degree
頑固者
A stubborn person
Often Confused With
Refers specifically to being spiteful or acting out of spite. It feels more negative and immature than '頑固'.
Focuses on the intensity of the desire to push one's will onto others. It implies a more aggressive form of stubbornness.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
Use '頑固' carefully as it can sound insulting when describing a person directly to their face. When describing objects like stains, it is a neutral and common descriptor. In professional settings, consider using 'こだわりがある' to sound more polite.
Common Mistakes
Don't use it to describe someone who is simply 'firm' in a positive way without context. Learners often use it for any situation where someone is 'serious,' but it specifically means 'refusing to change.' Avoid calling your superiors '頑固' unless you intend to be disrespectful.
Tips
Use with positive traits for nuance
If you want to sound less critical, pair it with words like '信念がある' (has conviction) to soften the impact.
Avoid using it for superiors
Calling a boss or elder '頑固' is rude. Use more respectful terms like 'こだわりが強い' instead.
Stubbornness as a cultural trait
In Japan, being '頑固' is sometimes associated with the 'Shokunin' (craftsman) spirit, where refusing to compromise is seen as a sign of dedication.
Word Origin
The kanji '頑' means stubborn or blockhead, and '固' means hard or firm. Together, they describe a mind that is hardened and cannot be reshaped.
Cultural Context
In Japan, harmony ('Wa') is valued. Being too '頑固' is often seen as disrupting harmony, making it a trait that people generally try to avoid, except in the context of professional craftsmanship.
Memory Tip
Think of a 'Rock' (Gan) that is 'Solid' (Ko). A person who is as immovable as a solid rock is 'Ganko'.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions基本的にはネガティブな意味で使われますが、文脈によっては「信念を貫く」というポジティブな意味で評価されることもあります。
洗剤を使ってもなかなか落ちない、非常にしつこい汚れのことを指します。比喩的な表現です。
「素直」や「柔軟」が反対語として挙げられます。状況に応じて考えを変えられる人を指します。
使えます。自分の主張を譲らない子供に対して「頑固な子だね」と言うことはありますが、少し大人びた表現に聞こえることもあります。
Test Yourself
彼は非常に___ので、一度決めたことは絶対に曲げない。
文脈から、意見を変えない性格を表す「頑固」が最適です。
「頑固な汚れ」という表現の意味は？
「頑固」は物に対して使う場合、取り除くのが困難であることを意味します。
（性格・頑固な・彼は・ので）困る。
自然な日本語の語順は「主語＋形容詞＋名詞＋ので＋結論」です。
Score: /3
Summary
Stubbornness is the inability to adapt one's views or methods despite external input.
- Describes a person who refuses to change their mind.
- Often implies a lack of flexibility or cooperation.
- Can also describe things that are difficult to remove.
Use with positive traits for nuance
If you want to sound less critical, pair it with words like '信念がある' (has conviction) to soften the impact.
Avoid using it for superiors
Calling a boss or elder '頑固' is rude. Use more respectful terms like 'こだわりが強い' instead.
Stubbornness as a cultural trait
In Japan, being '頑固' is sometimes associated with the 'Shokunin' (craftsman) spirit, where refusing to compromise is seen as a sign of dedication.
Examples
4 of 4父は頑固で、自分の考えを曲げない。
My father is stubborn and won't change his mind.
この頑固な汚れを落とすのは大変だ。
It is difficult to remove this stubborn stain.
あまり頑固になると嫌われるよ。
You'll be disliked if you're too stubborn.
頑固なまでのこだわりが、この製品の品質を支えている。
His uncompromising dedication supports the quality of this product.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Vocabulary
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養親
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