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A2 adjective Neutral #5,000 most common 3 min read

고집이 세다

gojibi seda /ko.dʑi.bi.se.da/
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Overview

The Korean phrase '고집이 세다' (go-jib-i se-da) literally translates to 'stubbornness is strong' or 'willpower is strong,' and it is commonly used to describe someone who is stubborn, obstinate, or set in their ways. This expression is widely understood and frequently used in everyday Korean conversations.

Let's break down the components:

  • 고집 (go-jib): This noun refers to stubbornness, obstinacy, or a strong will. It can carry both positive and negative connotations depending on the context. For instance, '고집' can signify perseverance and determination when someone sticks to their beliefs or goals despite challenges. However, it more often implies an unyielding and sometimes unreasonable adherence to one's own opinions, even when presented with valid counterarguments.
  • 이 (i): This is a subject particle in Korean, indicating that '고집' is the subject of the sentence. It attaches to nouns ending in a consonant.
  • 세다 (se-da): This is a descriptive verb (adjective) meaning 'to be strong,' 'to be powerful,' or 'to be tough.' It is used to describe the intensity or force of something.

When combined, '고집이 세다' creates a vivid image of someone whose stubbornness is a prominent and impactful characteristic. It suggests that their will is not easily swayed or broken.

**Usage and Nuances:**

  • Negative Connotation: Most often, '고집이 세다' is used to express a negative judgment, implying that the person is inflexible, difficult to persuade, or perhaps even unreasonable. For example, if someone refuses to change their mind even when proven wrong, they might be described as '고집이 세다.'
  • Contextual Positivity (Less Common): In some rare contexts, '고집이 세다' can be interpreted in a slightly positive light, hinting at someone's strong determination or resilience. For example, an artist who tirelessly pursues their vision despite criticism might be said to have '고집이 세다' in a way that acknowledges their unwavering dedication. However, even in such cases, there's often an underlying sense that their 'stubbornness' could be a double-edged sword.
  • Common Scenarios: You might hear this phrase when discussing a child who refuses to eat certain foods, an adult who insists on doing things their way, or someone who holds onto their opinions firmly in a debate.

* **Related Expressions:**

  • 고집을 부리다 (go-jib-eul bu-ri-da): To be stubborn, to insist on one's own way. This is a verb phrase describing the act of being stubborn.
  • 완고하다 (wan-go-ha-da): To be obstinate, inflexible (a more formal and stronger term than '고집이 세다').
  • 융통성이 없다 (yung-tong-seong-i eop-da): To lack flexibility (a related concept describing someone who is not adaptable).

In summary, '고집이 세다' is a highly descriptive and frequently used Korean idiom to characterize someone as stubborn or obstinate. While it can occasionally imply strong will, its primary usage leans towards describing an unyielding and sometimes difficult personality trait.

Examples

1

그는 고집이 세서 자신의 의견을 좀처럼 굽히지 않는다.

Describes a person's personality.

He is stubborn, so he rarely changes his mind.

2

우리 아버지는 고집이 세서 한번 결정하면 끝까지 밀고 나가세요.

Describes a family member's characteristic.

My father is stubborn, so once he makes a decision, he sees it through to the end.

3

고집이 센 사람과 협상하는 것은 정말 어려운 일이다.

Describes a challenging situation.

Negotiating with a stubborn person is truly difficult.

4

어릴 때부터 고집이 세서 부모님 말씀을 잘 안 들었어요.

Recalling a past trait.

I've been stubborn since I was little, so I didn't listen to my parents well.

5

때로는 고집이 세다는 것이 장점이 될 수도 있습니다.

Offering a nuanced perspective.

Sometimes being stubborn can be an advantage.

Common Collocations

고집이 세다
고집을 부리다
고집을 꺾다
고집이 세고 자기주장이 강하다

Often Confused With

고집이 세다 vs 옹고집
옹고집 refers to a person who is extremely stubborn, often to the point of unreasonableness. While '고집이 세다' describes the trait of being stubborn, '옹고집' is the noun for such a person, implying a stronger, more ingrained stubbornness that can be negative.
고집이 세다 vs 외고집
외고집 also refers to a person with strong, unyielding stubbornness. Similar to '옹고집', it's a noun for a very stubborn person. The nuance can sometimes suggest a more solitary or individualistic stubbornness.
고집이 세다 vs 강직하다
강직하다 means to be upright, honest, and firm in one's principles. While it shares the idea of firmness, '강직하다' carries a positive connotation of integrity and strong moral character. '고집이 세다' can be neutral or negative, simply describing the tendency to stick to one's opinions.
고집이 세다 vs 완고하다
완고하다 means to be obstinate or inflexible. This is a very close synonym and often used interchangeably. However, '완고하다' might carry a slightly stronger negative connotation, implying a resistance to change or new ideas even when presented with good reasons.

Grammar Patterns

A은/는 고집이 세다 A의 고집이 세다 고집 센 A

How to Use It

Usage Notes

'고집이 세다' is commonly used to describe individuals who are resolute in their beliefs or actions. It's an idiomatic expression. You can use it in sentences like: '그는 고집이 세서 한번 결정하면 바꾸지 않는다' (He is stubborn, so once he decides, he doesn't change his mind). Or, '우리 할아버지는 고집이 세지만 정이 많으시다' (Our grandfather is stubborn but very affectionate). It can be used casually among friends or in more formal settings. The phrase itself is neutral, but the surrounding context or tone of voice often determines whether the stubbornness is perceived as a positive (strong-willed) or negative (inflexible) characteristic.

Common Mistakes

A common mistake is using '완고하다' (wangohada) or '옹고집' (onggojip) interchangeably without understanding the nuances. While '고집이 세다' generally refers to being strong-willed or stubborn in a neutral to slightly negative way, '완고하다' often carries a stronger negative connotation of being unyielding, rigid, or obstinate, sometimes to the point of being unreasonable or old-fashioned in their views. '옹고집' specifically implies a stubbornness that is often seen as unreasonable, selfish, or narrow-minded, often to one's own detriment or the detriment of others. Another mistake is directly translating 'stubborn' with words like '단단하다' (dandanada) which means 'hard' or 'firm' in a physical sense, rather than an emotional or personality trait. It's crucial to understand that '고집이 세다' is an idiom, and direct word-for-word translation can lead to awkward or incorrect expressions. Always consider the context when describing stubbornness in Korean, as the choice of words can significantly impact the perceived severity or nature of the trait.

Tips

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Usage Tips

'고집이 세다' is often used to describe someone who is very firm in their opinions and rarely changes their mind. It can be used in both positive and negative contexts, depending on the situation and the speaker's intent. For example, a person might be praised for being '고집이 세다' if their stubbornness leads to perseverance and success, but criticized if it leads to inflexibility and difficulty in working with others. The phrase literally translates to 'one's stubbornness is strong.'
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Common Mistakes

A common mistake is to use '고집이 세다' in situations where '단호하다' (to be firm/resolute) or '끈기 있다' (to be persistent) might be more appropriate. While there's overlap, '고집이 세다' specifically emphasizes the stubborn aspect, which can carry a negative connotation of unreasonableness. Ensure the context truly implies stubbornness before using this phrase. Also, avoid directly translating 'stubborn' to other Korean words without considering the nuances of '고집이 세다.'
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Contextual Nuances

When used positively, '고집이 세다' can imply admirable resolve or determination, especially when someone stands firm on principles or pursues a goal despite obstacles. For instance, '그는 자신의 신념에 고집이 세다' (He is stubborn about his beliefs) can be a compliment. Negatively, it implies inflexibility, an unwillingness to compromise, or even unreasonableness. For example, '그는 너무 고집이 세서 설득하기 어렵다' (He is too stubborn, so it's hard to persuade him) suggests a negative trait. The tone of voice and surrounding context are crucial in conveying the intended meaning.

Word Origin

The Korean phrase '고집이 세다' (gojibi seda) literally translates to 'stubbornness is strong' or 'willpower is strong.' To fully understand its etymology, we need to break down its components: 1. 고집 (gojib): This noun refers to 'stubbornness,' 'obstinacy,' 'willfulness,' or 'persistence.' Its etymology can be traced back to Chinese characters (Hanja): * 固 (go): Means 'firm,' 'solid,' 'hard,' 'strong,' 'fixed,' 'stubborn.' * 執 (jib): Means 'to grasp,' 'to hold,' 'to seize,' 'to take charge of,' 'to persist in,' 'to insist on.' When combined, 固執 (고집) literally means 'to firmly hold onto' or 'to stubbornly persist.' This term has been used in Korean for a long time, adopted from Classical Chinese, to describe an unyielding nature or a strong adherence to one's own opinions or ways. 2. 이 (i): This is a subject particle in Korean. It attaches to nouns to indicate that the noun is the subject of the sentence. In this phrase, it marks '고집' as the subject. 3. 세다 (seda): This is an adjective meaning 'strong,' 'powerful,' 'mighty,' 'intense,' 'fierce.' It is a native Korean word with no direct Hanja correspondence in this context. Its roots are deep within the Korean language, used to describe the intensity or strength of various qualities, forces, or physical attributes. Historical Context and Evolution: The phrase '고집이 세다' has likely been used in its current form for centuries, reflecting the linguistic structure of Korean where a noun describing a quality is followed by a descriptive adjective (via a subject particle). The concept of 'stubbornness' itself is universal, and the specific way Korean expresses it with 'strong stubbornness' is very intuitive. * Early Usage: The component '고집' (固執) would have been understood in a similar way in historical Korean texts that incorporated Chinese characters. The adjective '세다' has always carried the meaning of strength. * Semantic Nuances: While '고집이 세다' generally implies a negative connotation (being overly stubborn or inflexible), depending on context, '고집' can sometimes have a slightly positive or neutral meaning, indicating strong will, persistence, or determination, especially when pursuing a goal. However, '고집이 세다' as a common idiom almost always leans towards the negative aspect of stubbornness. * Comparison with similar phrases: Other phrases like '완고하다' (wangohada - to be obstinate/rigid, also from Hanja 頑固) exist, but '고집이 세다' is arguably the most common and idiomatic way to express stubbornness in everyday Korean, emphasizing the *strength* of that characteristic. In summary, '고집이 세다' is a robust phrase formed by a Sino-Korean word for 'stubbornness' (고집, derived from Chinese characters meaning 'firmly hold') combined with a native Korean adjective for 'strong' (세다), connected by a subject particle. This construction effectively conveys the idea of having a powerful or intense stubborn streak.

Cultural Context

The phrase '고집이 세다' (gojibi seda) literally translates to 'one's stubbornness is strong.' In Korean culture, stubbornness can be viewed with both positive and negative connotations, depending on the context. While excessive stubbornness might be seen as a negative trait, leading to inflexibility or an unwillingness to compromise, a certain degree of '고집' can also be interpreted as perseverance, strong will, or conviction, especially when advocating for something morally right or pursuing a difficult goal. It's often used to describe someone who firmly sticks to their opinions or methods, even in the face of opposition. The nuance often depends on the speaker's tone and the specific situation being described.

Memory Tip

고집 (gojip) sounds a bit like 'go deep'. If someone's 'gojip' is 'seda' (strong), they 'go deep' into their own opinions and are stubborn. Imagine someone digging their heels in, going deep into their stance.

Frequently Asked Questions

4 questions
'고집이 세다' (go-jib-i se-da) is a Korean expression that literally translates to 'one's stubbornness is strong.' It is used to describe someone who is very stubborn, obstinate, or unyielding in their opinions, decisions, or actions. This phrase implies that the person is firm in their convictions and not easily persuaded or swayed by others, sometimes to the point of being inflexible or rigid. It can be used in both neutral and negative contexts, depending on the situation and the speaker's intent, to characterize someone as having a strong will.
Certainly! Here are a few examples: 1. 그는 고집이 세서 한번 결정하면 바꾸지 않아요. (Geu-neun go-jib-i se-seo han-beon gyeol-jeong-ha-myeon ba-kku-ji a-na-yo.) - He is so stubborn that once he makes a decision, he doesn't change it. 2. 우리 아이는 고집이 세서 자기 뜻대로 하려고 해요. (U-ri a-i-neun go-jib-i se-seo ja-gi tteut-dae-ro ha-ryeo-go hae-yo.) - Our child is stubborn and tries to do things their own way. 3. 그녀는 고집이 세지만, 그 점이 때로는 장점이 되기도 해요. (Geu-nyeo-neun go-jib-i se-ji-man, geu jeom-i ttae-ro-neun jang-jeom-i doe-gi-do hae-yo.) - She is stubborn, but sometimes that quality can be an advantage.
Yes, there are a few similar expressions. While '고집이 세다' is very common, you might also hear or use: 1. '똥고집' (ttong-go-jib): This is a more informal and somewhat stronger term for extreme stubbornness, often implying an unreasonable or foolish stubbornness. 2. '외고집' (oe-go-jib): This refers to single-minded stubbornness or obstinacy, often in a negative sense, meaning someone is stubbornly sticking to their own way without considering others. 3. '아집' (a-jib): This term emphasizes self-centered stubbornness or dogmatism, where a person stubbornly clings to their own opinions or beliefs without regard for others' perspectives.
Not necessarily. While '고집이 세다' often carries a negative connotation of being inflexible or difficult, it can sometimes be perceived as a positive trait, depending on the context. For instance, in situations where perseverance, strong conviction, or adherence to principles is required, being '고집이 세다' can imply determination, resilience, and an unwillingness to give up easily. For example, a leader who is '고집이 세다' might be seen as someone who stands firm on their vision, which can be admirable. However, in interpersonal relationships or collaborative efforts, excessive stubbornness can hinder progress and lead to conflict, making it generally viewed as a negative attribute.

Test Yourself

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그는 ______ 고집이 세서 설득하기가 어렵다.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
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아무리 설명해도 듣지 않는 걸 보니, 정말 ______ 세네.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
fill blank

아이들은 때때로 ______ 세서 부모님을 힘들게 한다.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Score: /3

Related Content

This Word in Other Languages

頑固 Japanese 固执 Chinese
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