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A2 adjective #4,000 most common 12 min read

固执

gùzhí Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 固执 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 固执 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that '固执' (gùzhí) means 'stubborn.' Imagine a person who says 'No, I want this!' and won't change their mind even if you offer them something better. That is '固执.' In simple sentences, you can say '他很固执' (He is very stubborn). Think of it like a rock that won't move. You might hear this word when talking about people who are hard to talk to. It's a useful word because everyone knows someone who is a little bit stubborn! Just remember the sound: 'goo-jur.' It's a common adjective to describe a personality. You don't need to worry about the complex characters yet, just focus on the meaning: someone who doesn't listen to others and stays with their own idea. At this level, you can use it to describe a friend, a family member, or even yourself if you are being a bit difficult! It's a basic building block for describing what people are like.

At the A2 level, you should start using '固执' (gùzhí) in more complete sentences. You can use it to describe why someone is doing something, like '因为他很固执，所以他不听我的话' (Because he is very stubborn, he doesn't listen to me). You should also learn that it is often used with '太...了' (tài...le), as in '你太固执了' (You are too stubborn). This is a very natural way to express your feelings when you are frustrated. You can also start to see it used with the particle '的' (de) to describe a person, like '固执的人' (a stubborn person). At this stage, you should recognize that while it usually sounds a bit negative, it's a very common way to describe a personality trait. Try to use it in your daily conversations when you want to explain why a negotiation or a plan isn't working—it's often because someone is being '固执.'

At the B1 level, you should understand the nuance of '固执' compared to other words. You'll learn that '固执' is specifically about being mentally rigid. You can start using it as an adverb by adding '地' (de), such as '固执地认为' (to stubbornly believe). This allows you to describe how someone thinks or speaks. For example, '他固执地认为他是对的' (He stubbornly believes he is right). You should also be able to handle the four-character idiom '固执己见' (gùzhí jǐjiàn), which means 'to stubbornly cling to one's own opinion.' This is a very common phrase in written Chinese and formal speech. At B1, you are expected to know that '固执' is different from '坚持' (jiānchí - to persist), which is usually a good thing. '固执' implies that the person should probably change their mind but won't, whereas '坚持' implies they are doing something difficult but worthwhile.

At the B2 level, your understanding of '固执' should include its cultural implications and its role in more complex sentence structures. You should be able to use it to discuss character development in stories or to analyze people's behavior in professional settings. For instance, you might discuss how a '固执的性格' (stubborn personality) can lead to failure in a fast-changing market. You should also be able to distinguish '固执' from synonyms like '倔强' (juéjiàng - tough/unyielding) and '顽固' (wángù - obstinate/reactionary). '固执' is the most general term, while '顽固' is harsher and '倔强' is more about a 'stiff' temperament. You should also be comfortable using '固执' in '虽然...但是...' (although... but...) structures to show a balanced view of someone's character, such as '虽然他很固执，但他工作非常认真' (Although he is stubborn, he works very seriously).

At the C1 level, you should have a deep grasp of the idiomatic and literary uses of '固执.' You can use it to describe abstract concepts like '固执的偏见' (stubborn prejudices) or '固执的传统' (stubborn traditions). You should be able to use it in sophisticated arguments, perhaps discussing the psychological roots of '固执' behavior or its impact on social dynamics. You should also be familiar with how '固执' is used in classical or semi-formal literature to portray tragic or heroic characters. At this level, you can use the word with precision, choosing it over '执着' or '顽固' to convey exactly the right level of disapproval or description. You should also be able to understand the word when it's used metaphorically in poetry or high-level journalism to describe things that are difficult to change or remove.

At the C2 level, you have complete mastery over '固执' and its entire family of related terms. You can use it with perfect native-like nuance, perhaps even using it ironically or with subtle humor. You understand the historical development of the characters '固' and '执' and how their meanings have evolved into the modern adjective. You can engage in deep philosophical discussions about whether '固执' is ever a virtue, or how it differs from '坚守' (jiānshǒu - to firmly stick to something). You can read and write complex essays where '固执' is used to critique social systems or historical figures. Your usage is indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker, and you can effortlessly switch between the colloquial '死板,' the descriptive '固执,' and the formal '顽固' depending on the audience and the context.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

固执 in 30 Seconds

固执 means stubborn or obstinate in Chinese, describing someone who refuses to change their mind.
It is composed of '固' (firm) and '执' (hold), suggesting a firm grasp on one's own ideas.
While similar to 'persistence,' it usually carries a negative connotation of being unreasonable or inflexible.
It is commonly used in families and workplaces to describe difficult people or rigid attitudes.

The Chinese word 固执 (gùzhí) is an adjective that primarily translates to 'stubborn' or 'obstinate' in English. It is a compound of two powerful characters: 固 (gù), meaning solid, firm, or secure, and 执 (zhí), meaning to hold, grasp, or execute. Together, they paint a vivid picture of someone 'holding firmly' to their own ideas, opinions, or ways of doing things, often to a fault. Unlike the English word 'persistent,' which usually carries a positive connotation of dedication, 固执 is more frequently used in a slightly negative or neutral sense. It suggests a refusal to change even when presented with better alternatives or logical arguments. It is the linguistic embodiment of a 'fixed mindset' in the context of personality.

Core Concept: The act of clinging to an opinion or a course of action despite reason or persuasion. It implies a lack of flexibility and a resistance to external influence.

虽然大家都劝他放弃，但他依然非常固执，坚持自己的方案。(Even though everyone advised him to give up, he remained very stubborn and stuck to his own plan.)

In Chinese culture, 固执 is often used to describe someone who is 'dead-brained' (死脑筋 - sǐ nǎojīn) or someone who 'doesn't know how to turn' (不会变通 - bù huì biàntōng). It is commonly applied to older generations who might be set in their ways, or to individuals in professional settings who refuse to adapt to new technologies or strategies. However, it can also be used descriptively without intending to be an insult, simply stating a personality trait. For instance, a scientist might be described as 固执 in their pursuit of a specific theory, which might eventually lead to a breakthrough, though the word 执着 (zhízhuó) would be more complimentary in that case.

Social Nuance: Using this word directly to someone's face (e.g., '你太固执了') can be quite confrontational in Chinese culture, as it implies they are being unreasonable or difficult to work with.

老王那个人太固执，从来不听别人的意见。(Old Wang is too stubborn; he never listens to other people's opinions.)

The word is versatile in its grammatical application. It can function as a simple adjective modifying a noun (固执的人 - a stubborn person) or as a predicate after 'very' (他很固执 - he is very stubborn). It can even be used as an adverb with the addition of '地' (de) to describe how someone performs an action, such as '固执地坚持' (stubbornly persisting). Understanding 固执 is essential for navigating interpersonal relationships in Chinese, as it helps you identify and describe the boundaries of negotiation and the personality types you encounter in daily life, from a hard-headed taxi driver to a grandmother who refuses to use a smartphone.

不要这么固执，多听听大家的想法对你有好处。(Don't be so stubborn; listening to everyone's ideas will benefit you.)

Grammar Note: It is often intensified with adverbs like '非常' (fēicháng - very), '太' (tài - too), or '极其' (jíqí - extremely).

他的性格极其固执。(His personality is extremely stubborn.)

你为什么要这么固执地走这条路？(Why do you insist so stubbornly on taking this path?)

Using 固执 (gùzhí) correctly involves understanding its placement within a sentence and the typical modifiers that accompany it. As an adjective, its most common role is as a predicate, following a degree adverb. For example, in the sentence '他很固执' (He is very stubborn), '很' acts as the bridge. If you want to emphasize that someone's stubbornness is excessive, you would use '太...了' (tài...le), as in '你太固执了' (You are too stubborn). This structure is the most common way to express frustration with someone's lack of flexibility.

Structure 1: Adjective as Predicate: Subject + (Degree Adverb) + 固执. Example: 我爷爷非常固执 (My grandfather is very stubborn).

在某些事情上，他表现得非常固执。(On certain matters, he behaves very stubbornly.)

Another common usage is as an attributive adjective to modify a noun, usually connected by the particle '的' (de). This allows you to describe a person's character directly. Phrases like '固执的老头' (a stubborn old man) or '固执的性格' (a stubborn personality) are standard. When used this way, it sets the tone for the noun it modifies, often indicating that the person described will be difficult to deal with or slow to change their mind. It can also modify abstract concepts like '固执的见解' (a stubborn/persistent opinion) or '固执的偏见' (a stubborn prejudice).

Structure 2: Attributive Modification: 固执 + 的 + Noun. Example: 他是一个固执的艺术家 (He is a stubborn artist).

没人能改变他那固执的想法。(No one can change those stubborn ideas of his.)

Furthermore, 固执 can be turned into an adverb by adding '地' (de) before a verb. This describes the manner in which an action is performed, emphasizing the persistence and refusal to yield. Common pairings include '固执地认为' (stubbornly believe/hold the view that) or '固执地坚持' (stubbornly insist on). This usage is particularly useful in narrative writing or formal reports when describing a person's refusal to comply with a request or their insistence on a specific, perhaps outdated, methodology.

Structure 3: Adverbial Usage: 固执 + 地 + Verb. Example: 她固执地拒绝了我们的帮助 (She stubbornly refused our help).

尽管事实摆在眼前，他还是固执地相信自己是对的。(Despite the facts right in front of him, he still stubbornly believes he is right.)

Lastly, it is important to note the negative counterpart. To say someone is not stubborn, you would say '不固执' (bù gùzhí) or, more naturally, '听得进意见' (tīng de jìn yìjiàn - can listen to opinions) or '开明' (kāimíng - open-minded). In professional feedback, instead of saying someone is '固执', you might use more diplomatic language like '需要增强灵活性' (needs to increase flexibility). Understanding these sentence patterns allows you to use 固执 accurately in both casual and formal contexts.

这种固执的行为只会让事情变得更糟。(This kind of stubborn behavior will only make things worse.)

虽然他很年轻，但他在工作上非常固执。(Although he is young, he is very stubborn at work.)

You will encounter 固执 (gùzhí) in a wide variety of real-life scenarios, ranging from intimate family settings to the high-stakes environment of a business meeting. One of the most common places to hear it is within the family. Parents often use it to describe a child who refuses to eat their vegetables or go to bed, though in that case, they might also use the word 淘气 (táoqì - naughty). More frequently, adult children use it to describe their aging parents. There is a common cultural trope in China of the '固执的老头' (stubborn old man) or '固执的老太太' (stubborn old lady) who refuses to see a doctor or insists on keeping old, broken furniture. In these contexts, the word carries a mix of frustration and begrudging affection.

Family Scenario: Describing elders who refuse to change their habits or lifestyle. Example: '我爸很固执，怎么说都不肯换新手机。' (My dad is very stubborn; no matter what I say, he won't change to a new phone.)

你爷爷太固执了，生病了也不吃药。(Your grandfather is too stubborn; he won't take medicine even when he's sick.)

In the workplace, 固执 is a frequent topic of conversation, often during water-cooler chats or performance reviews. Colleagues might complain about a manager who is '固执己见' (gùzhí jǐjiàn - clinging to one's own view) and refuses to adopt more efficient workflows. It is used to describe someone who is an obstacle to progress or team harmony. In professional negotiations, identifying a '固执' counterpart is a key part of strategy; knowing that someone is unlikely to budge helps in deciding whether to push harder or find a workaround. You might hear it in phrases like '他的态度非常固执' (His attitude is very stubborn), indicating a stalemate.

Workplace Scenario: Discussing a colleague's refusal to collaborate or change a project direction. Example: '经理太固执，不肯听我们的新建议。' (The manager is too stubborn; he won't listen to our new suggestions.)

在谈判中，对方表现得异常固执。(During the negotiations, the other party behaved exceptionally stubbornly.)

Beyond personal interactions, 固执 appears frequently in Chinese media, literature, and news commentary. In TV dramas (C-dramas), a '固执' character is a staple archetype—perhaps a CEO who refuses to marry the person their family chose, or a traditional craftsman who won't modernize his shop. News articles might use the word to describe a government's '固执的立场' (stubborn stance) on a particular policy. In literature, it is often used to explore the psychological depth of a character, showing how their stubbornness leads to either their downfall or an unexpected moral victory. Hearing the word in these varied contexts will help you grasp its weight and the specific type of 'holding firm' it represents.

Media Usage: Used in news or dramas to describe rigid policies or character traits. Example: '这部电影描写了一个固执追求梦想的年轻人。' (This movie depicts a young man who stubbornly pursues his dreams.)

他那种固执的性格在小说里被刻画得淋漓尽致。(That stubborn personality of his was portrayed vividly in the novel.)

面对批评，他依然固执己见。(In the face of criticism, he still stuck stubbornly to his own views.)

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make when using 固执 (gùzhí) is confusing it with other words that also mean 'stubborn' or 'persistent' but have different connotations and usage rules. The most significant point of confusion is with 执着 (zhízhuó). While both involve 'holding on' (执), 执着 is almost always positive, meaning 'dedicated,' 'devoted,' or 'persistent in a noble pursuit.' If you tell someone they are '执着,' you are complimenting their perseverance. If you tell them they are '固执,' you are usually criticizing their inflexibility. Forgetting this distinction can lead to unintended insults or confusing praise.

Mistake 1: 固执 vs. 执着: Using 固执 when you mean to praise someone's dedication. Correct: 他对艺术很执着 (He is dedicated to art). Incorrect: 他对艺术很固执 (He is stubborn about art - implies he's doing it the wrong way and won't change).

虽然他很固执，但他确实很执着。(Although he is stubborn, he is indeed very dedicated.)

Another common error is the confusion with 倔强 (juéjiàng). While 倔强 also means stubborn, it has a more 'unyielding' or 'tough' feel, often used to describe a child's temperament or someone who refuses to admit defeat. It can sometimes carry a hint of admiration for someone's spirit. 固执, on the other hand, is more about the rigidity of one's thoughts and opinions. You '倔强' against an enemy or a hardship, but you are '固执' in an argument or a decision. Using 倔强 in a purely intellectual context can sound slightly off-target.

Mistake 2: 固执 vs. 倔强: 倔强 describes a 'stiff-necked' or 'tough' refusal to yield, often physical or emotional. 固执 is more about being 'set in one's ways' mentally.

这孩子脾气真倔强，怎么打都不哭。(This child has such a tough/stubborn temper; he won't cry no matter how much you hit him.)

A third mistake involves grammatical misapplication. Learners sometimes try to use 固执 as a verb, like 'he stubborned me' or 'he is stubborn-ing his idea.' In Chinese, 固执 is an adjective. To express the action of being stubborn, you must use it as a predicate (很固执) or use the related four-character idiom 固执己见 (gùzhí jǐjiàn), which functions as a verb phrase meaning 'to stubbornly cling to one's own opinion.' Simply saying '他固执他的想法' is grammatically incorrect; you should say '他固执地坚持他的想法' (He stubbornly persists in his idea).

Mistake 3: Misusing as a Verb: Incorrect: 他固执我的意见 (He stubborned my opinion). Correct: 他固执地拒绝了我的意见 (He stubbornly rejected my opinion).

你不能总是这么固执己见。(You can't always stubbornly cling to your own views.)

有些老人的性格确实比较固执。(Some elderly people's personalities are indeed relatively stubborn.)

To truly master 固执 (gùzhí), you must understand where it sits in the spectrum of words related to persistence and rigidity. Chinese has a rich vocabulary for these concepts, and choosing the right one depends on the intensity and the 'flavor' of the stubbornness you wish to describe. At the milder end, we have 顽固 (wángù). While often used interchangeably with 固执, 顽固 is even more negative and often implies a deep-seated, systemic resistance to change, such as '顽固的旧势力' (stubborn old forces/conservatives). It suggests a level of 'obstinacy' that is almost pathological or politically charged.

固执 vs. 顽固: 固执 is general stubbornness. 顽固 is deeper, more negative, and often refers to being set in old-fashioned or reactionary ways.

他那种顽固的思想很难改变。(Those stubborn/reactionary thoughts of his are hard to change.)

On the more positive side, as mentioned before, is 执着 (zhízhuó). This is the word you should use when you want to praise someone's 'stick-to-itiveness.' For example, a student who studies for ten hours a day is 执着, not 固执 (unless they are studying the wrong thing and refuse to change their method). Another positive or neutral alternative is 坚定 (jiāndìng), which means 'firm' or 'resolute.' A person with 坚定 convictions is seen as strong and reliable, whereas a 固执 person is seen as annoying or difficult.

固执 vs. 执着 vs. 坚定: 固执 (Negative/Neutral stubborn), 执着 (Positive dedication), 坚定 (Positive/Neutral firmness/resoluteness).

他的立场非常坚定，不会轻易动摇。(His position is very firm and will not be easily shaken.)

If you want to describe someone who is stubborn in a very specific, 'block-headed' way, you can use the colloquial 死板 (sǐbǎn). This literally means 'dead board' and describes someone who follows rules so strictly that they lose all common sense or flexibility. While a 固执 person might just have a strong opinion, a 死板 person is a slave to the rules. Lastly, 倔强 (juéjiàng) is the best word for that 'unbending' personality, particularly in children or those with a 'tough' character who refuse to give in to pressure. Knowing these nuances allows you to paint a much more precise picture of someone's character in Chinese.

Summary of Alternatives: 顽固 (Very negative/reactionary), 执着 (Positive dedication), 坚定 (Resolute), 死板 (Inflexible/rule-bound), 倔强 (Tough/unyielding).

做人不能太死板，要学会灵活处理问题。(One shouldn't be too rigid; one must learn to handle problems flexibly.)

他性格倔强，从不向困难低头。(He has a tough/stubborn character and never bows to difficulties.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '执' (zhí) actually contains a component representing 'hand' (扌) and an ancient form of 'criminal' (幸), suggesting the original meaning was holding or capturing someone.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɡùː ʈʂɻ̩̌/

US /ɡùː ʈʂɻ̩̌/

The emphasis is balanced, but the falling fourth tone of 'gù' often sounds more prominent to English ears.

Rhymes With

故事 (gùshì) 物质 (wùzhì) 布置 (bùzhì) 意志 (yìzhì) 品质 (pǐnzhì) 气质 (qìzhì) 体质 (tǐzhì) 本质 (běnzhì)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'zh' as a simple English 'z' or 'zh' (like in 'pleasure'). It must be retroflex.
Failing to rise enough on the second tone 'zhí'.
Mixing up the tones, pronouncing it 'gūzhì' or 'gùzhǐ'.
Pronouncing 'gù' as 'kù'.
Making the 'i' in 'zhí' sound like 'ee'. It is a voiced retroflex fricative sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The characters are somewhat complex but common in literature.

Writing 4/5

Writing '执' correctly requires attention to the stroke order of the retroflex component.

Speaking 3/5

Tones are the main challenge (4th then 2nd).

Listening 2/5

Easily recognized due to the distinct 'gù' sound.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

性格坚持意见听想法

Learn Next

执着顽固变通妥协开明

Advanced

冥顽不灵墨守成规一意孤行执迷不悟刚愎自用

Grammar to Know

Adverbial '地' (de)

他固执地拒绝了。

Degree Adverbs

他非常固执。

The '太...了' Structure

你太固执了！

Resultative Complements

他固执起来谁也劝不动。

Attribute Particle '的'

固执的人。

Examples by Level

他很固执。

He is very stubborn.

Subject + 很 + Adjective.

不要固执。

Don't be stubborn.

Imperative sentence with '不要'.

他是一个固执的人。

He is a stubborn person.

Adjective + 的 + Noun.

你为什么这么固执？

Why are you so stubborn?

Question with '为什么' and '这么'.

我不固执。

I am not stubborn.

Negative form with '不'.

那个孩子很固执。

That child is very stubborn.

Specific subject + Adjective.

固执不好。

Being stubborn is not good.

Adjective as a noun subject.

他太固执了。

He is too stubborn.

太...了 structure for emphasis.

因为他很固执，所以我们没法商量。

Because he is very stubborn, we can't discuss it.

因为...所以... (Because... therefore...)

我妈妈在吃饭这件事上很固执。

My mother is very stubborn about eating.

在...这方面/这件事上 (In this aspect/matter).

虽然他不对，但他还是很固执。

Although he is wrong, he is still very stubborn.

虽然...但是... (Although... but...)

请不要这么固执，听听我的建议。

Please don't be so stubborn; listen to my suggestion.

Polite request with '请'.

他固执地不肯去医院。

He stubbornly refused to go to the hospital.

Adverbial usage with '地'.

你的固执让我很生气。

Your stubbornness makes me very angry.

Adjective used as a noun (stubbornness).

这只小狗非常固执，不肯回家。

This puppy is very stubborn and won't go home.

Describing an animal.

他性格固执，很难交朋友。

He has a stubborn personality, so it's hard to make friends.

Noun (性格) + Adjective (固执).

他总是固执己见，不肯接受新事物。

He always stubbornly clings to his own views and refuses to accept new things.

Idiom '固执己见' (clinging to one's own view).

如果你一直这么固执，你会失去这个机会的。

If you keep being this stubborn, you will lose this opportunity.

Conditional '如果...就...'.

他固执地坚持自己的错误方案。

He stubbornly insisted on his own wrong plan.

固执地 + 坚持 (stubbornly persist).

面对大家的反对，他表现得异常固执。

In the face of everyone's opposition, he behaved exceptionally stubbornly.

表现得 + Adjective (Behave/act in a certain way).

这种固执对你的职业发展没有好处。

This kind of stubbornness is not good for your career development.

对...没有好处 (Not good for...).

他那固执的脾气真让人受不了。

That stubborn temper of his is really unbearable.

让...受不了 (Make someone unable to bear).

我们要学会灵活，不能太固执。

We must learn to be flexible and not be too stubborn.

Modal verb '要' + '不能'.

他固执地认为钱能解决所有问题。

He stubbornly believes that money can solve all problems.

固执地 + 认为 (stubbornly believe).

他那近乎固执的坚持，最终赢得了比赛。

His near-stubborn persistence eventually won the race.

近乎 (near/approaching) used as a modifier.

由于他固执的性格，团队合作变得非常困难。

Due to his stubborn personality, teamwork has become very difficult.

由于 (due to) starting a causal clause.

他固执地拒绝承认自己在实验中犯了错。

He stubbornly refused to admit that he made a mistake in the experiment.

拒绝 + 承认 (refuse to admit).

这种固执的偏见是社会进步的障碍。

This kind of stubborn prejudice is an obstacle to social progress.

Abstract noun modification.

虽然年龄增长了，但他的思想依然非常固执。

Although he has aged, his thoughts remain very stubborn.

依然 (still/remain) for state maintenance.

他固执地追求那个不可能实现的目标。

He stubbornly pursues that impossible goal.

追求 (pursue) + abstract object.

在原则问题上，他表现出了极其固执的一面。

On matters of principle, he showed an extremely stubborn side.

...的一面 (a side of...).

不要把固执当成坚定，两者是有区别的。

Don't mistake stubbornness for firmness; there is a difference between the two.

把...当成... (To treat/mistake A as B).

他那种固执己见的态度导致了谈判的最终破裂。

His stubborn attitude led to the ultimate breakdown of the negotiations.

导致 (lead to) + negative result.

小说通过描写老李的固执，展现了那个时代的局限性。

The novel shows the limitations of that era by depicting Lao Li's stubbornness.

通过...展现... (Through... show...).

他固执地守着那座老房子，不肯搬到城里去。

He stubbornly stayed in that old house, refusing to move to the city.

守着 (guarding/staying at) + location.

由于长期的固执和偏执，他渐渐失去了所有朋友。

Due to long-term stubbornness and paranoia, he gradually lost all his friends.

Parallel nouns (固执和偏执).

这种固执往往源于对未知的恐惧。

This kind of stubbornness often stems from a fear of the unknown.

源于 (stems from/originates in).

在某些艺术家看来，固执是创作灵感的源泉。

In the eyes of some artists, stubbornness is the source of creative inspiration.

在...看来 (In the eyes of...).

他固执地重复着同样的错误，却不自知。

He stubbornly repeats the same mistakes without realizing it.

却不自知 (yet not self-aware).

面对时代的洪流，他表现出一种悲剧性的固执。

In the face of the torrent of the times, he displayed a tragic stubbornness.

Literary adjective '悲剧性的'.

这种固执并非简单的性格缺陷，而是深层文化认同的体现。

This stubbornness is not a simple personality flaw, but a manifestation of deep cultural identity.

并非...而是... (Not... but rather...).

他固执地捍卫着那些早已过时的学术观点。

He stubbornly defended those academic viewpoints that had long been outdated.

捍卫 (defend) + academic object.

在极度固执的背后，往往隐藏着一颗脆弱的心。

Behind extreme stubbornness, a fragile heart is often hidden.

在...背后 (Behind...).

他以一种近乎偏执的固执，完成了这项不可能的任务。

With a near-paranoid stubbornness, he completed this impossible task.

以...的方式 (In a... manner).

这种固执在某种程度上保护了他免受外界干扰。

To some extent, this stubbornness protected him from external interference.

免受...干扰 (Avoid suffering from interference).

由于他固执地拒绝妥协，双方陷入了长期的僵局。

Because he stubbornly refused to compromise, both sides fell into a long-term stalemate.

陷入 (fall into) + negative state.

这种固执是对传统价值观的一种无声坚守。

This stubbornness is a silent adherence to traditional values.

对...的坚守 (Adherence to...).

他固执地相信，只有通过这种方式才能达到真正的自由。

He stubbornly believes that only through this way can true freedom be achieved.

只有...才能... (Only... can...).

Common Collocations

性格固执

固执己见

非常固执

固执地认为

固执地坚持

固执地拒绝

太固执了

固执的想法

固执的老头

表现固执

Common Phrases

脾气固执

— Having a stubborn temper. It describes someone whose basic nature is inflexible.

他脾气固执，谁也劝不动。

固执得很

— Extremely stubborn. The '得很' suffix adds emphasis in spoken Chinese.

那个人固执得很，别理他。

一贯固执

— Consistently stubborn. Describes someone who has been stubborn for a long time.

他一贯固执，这次也不例外。

固执不化

— Stubborn and unwilling to change. Often used to describe someone stuck in the past.

这种固执不化的思想必须改变。

生性固执

— Stubborn by nature. Suggests the trait is innate.

他生性固执，很难改变。

极其固执

— Extremely stubborn. A more formal way to express high degree.

他的态度极其固执。

莫名其妙的固执

— Inexplicable stubbornness. Stubborn for no apparent reason.

他有一种莫名其妙的固执。

盲目固执

— Blindly stubborn. Stubborn without considering the facts.

不要盲目固执，要看事实。

固执守旧

— Stubborn and conservative. Clinging to old ways.

他固执守旧，不接受新技术。

固执追求

— To stubbornly pursue something. Can be neutral or negative.

他固执追求完美的细节。

Often Confused With

固执 vs 执着 (zhízhuó)

執着 is positive (dedicated), while 固执 is usually negative (stubborn).

固执 vs 坚持 (jiānchí)

坚持 is a verb (to persist) and is usually positive. 固执 is an adjective and usually negative.

固执 vs 坚定 (jiāndìng)

坚定 means firm/resolute in a positive sense, like having strong faith.

Idioms & Expressions

"固执己见"

— To cling stubbornly to one's own opinions. This is the most common idiom using '固执'.

在会议上，他始终固执己见。

Neutral

"顽固不化"

— Extremely obstinate and refusing to change. Usually very negative.

这些老观念顽固不化，难以根除。

Negative

"一意孤行"

— To act willfully and ignore others' advice. Implies a dangerous level of stubbornness.

如果你一意孤行，后果自负。

Negative

"自以为是"

— To consider oneself always right; opinionated.

他这个人太自以为是了，不听别人的。

Informal/Negative

"死不悔改"

— Stubbornly refusing to repent or change one's wrong ways.

他犯了错还死不悔改。

Very Negative

"墨守成规"

— To stick to old conventions; to follow the old routine stubbornly.

我们不能墨守成规，要勇于创新。

Neutral/Formal

"至死不悟"

— To refuse to come to one's senses even until death.

他至死不悟，真是可悲。

Literary/Negative

"执迷不悟"

— To persist in error; to be obstinately wedded to one's erroneous views.

我希望你不要再执迷不悟了。

Formal/Negative

"倔头倔脑"

— Stubborn and blunt in manner. Often used for children or simple people.

他倔头倔脑的，不太会说话。

Informal

"冥顽不灵"

— Stupidly stubborn; thick-headed and obstinate.

他真是冥顽不灵，怎么教都不会。

Very Negative

Easily Confused

固执 vs 顽固 (wángù)

Both mean stubborn.

顽固 is much stronger and more negative, often used for old-fashioned ideas or political enemies.

顽固的封建思想。(Stubborn feudal ideas.)

固执 vs 倔强 (juéjiàng)

Both describe an unyielding nature.

倔强 is more about a 'tough' temperament, often in children or those facing hardship.

性格倔强的孩子。(A child with a tough/stubborn character.)

固执 vs 死板 (sǐbǎn)

Both imply a lack of change.

死板 is about being too rigid with rules and lacking creativity.

办事死板。(Doing things in a rigid/rule-bound way.)

固执 vs 保守 (bǎoshǒu)

Stubborn people are often conservative.

保守 specifically refers to being traditional or cautious, not necessarily stubborn in personality.

思想保守。(Conservative thinking.)

固执 vs 偏执 (piānzhí)

Both involve holding onto views.

偏执 is more extreme, often implying paranoia or irrationality.

偏执的性格。(A paranoid/bigoted personality.)

Sentence Patterns

Subject + 很 + 固执。

他很固执。

Subject + 太 + 固执 + 了。

你太固执了。

Subject + 固执地 + Verb。

他固执地坚持。

Subject + 固执己见。

他总是固执己见。

虽然...但是...固执。

虽然他不对，但他很固执。

由于...固执...导致...。

由于他固执，导致了失败。

表现出...固执的一面。

他表现出固执的一面。

并非...而是...固执。

并非愚蠢，而是固执。

Word Family

Nouns

固执 (stubbornness - used as an abstract noun)

固执己见 (the act of clinging to one's view)

Verbs

固执 (rarely used as a verb, usually with '坚持' or '认为')

固执己见 (functions as a verb phrase)

Adjectives

固执 (stubborn)

顽固 (obstinate)

倔强 (tough/stubborn)

执着 (dedicated)

坚持 (persist)

固定 (fixed)

执政 (to be in power)

执照 (license)

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in both spoken and written Chinese.

Common Mistakes

Using 固执 as a verb. → 他固执地拒绝了。
固执 is an adjective. You cannot say '他固执我'. You must use it with '地' to describe an action or as a predicate.
Using 固执 to compliment someone's hard work. → 他工作很执着。
固执 usually implies being difficult or wrong. 执着 (zhízhuó) is the positive word for dedication and persistence.
Pronouncing 'zhí' with the 1st tone. → gùzhí (4th then 2nd tone).
Tones are crucial. 'gùzhī' is not a common word and will cause confusion in conversation.
Using 固执 to describe a physical object. → 这个盖子太紧了。
固执 is for people and minds. For objects that won't move, use '紧' (jǐn - tight) or other physical descriptions.
Confusing 固执 with 倔强 in all contexts. → 他性格很倔强。
While similar, 倔强 is more about an unbending nature/toughness, while 固执 is about mental rigidity in opinions.

Tips

Using '地' with 固执

To turn '固执' into an adverb, always add '地' (de). This is essential for describing actions like '固执地拒绝' (stubbornly refuse). Without '地', it sounds like a broken sentence.

Master the Idiom

Learn '固执己见' (gùzhí jǐjiàn) early. It's a very common four-character idiom that makes your Chinese sound much more advanced and natural in formal situations.

Softening the Blow

If you need to tell someone they are being stubborn but don't want to be too rude, use '有一点固执' (a little bit stubborn) or '有点死脑筋' (a bit of a blockhead) in a joking tone.

The Retroflex 'Zh'

Don't forget to curl your tongue back for 'zhí'. If it sounds like 'zee', native speakers might struggle to understand you. It should be a buzzing, rising sound.

Person vs. Idea

You can use 固执 to describe both a person ('他很固执') and their ideas ('固执的想法'). It is very versatile for describing mental rigidity in any form.

Don't confuse with 坚持

Remember: 坚持 (jiānchí) is a 'good' stubbornness (perseverance). 固执 (gùzhí) is a 'bad' stubbornness (obstinacy). Use them carefully to avoid giving the wrong impression.

Tone Recognition

Practice hearing the difference between 'gù' (falling) and 'gū' (flat). If you hear a flat tone, it's likely a different word, such as '姑' (aunt).

Stroke Order

In '执', the right side is not '丸'. It is a specific component. Pay attention to the hook at the end to make your handwriting look authentic.

Generational Gap

You will often hear younger Chinese people use '固执' to describe their parents' traditional views. This is a very common context for the word in modern China.

Synonym Choice

If you want to sound more literary, use '顽固'. If you want to sound more colloquial, use '死板'. '固执' is the perfect middle ground for all situations.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Fortress' (固 - gù) that you 'Hold' (执 - zhí). A person who is '固执' has a mind like a fortress they won't let go of.

Visual Association

Imagine a person hugging a giant, immovable rock and refusing to let go even as people try to pull them away.

Word Web

Personality Stubborn Rigid Unbending Opinionated Inflexible Persist Refuse

Challenge

Try to describe three people you know using '固执', '执着', and '坚定' to see if you can feel the difference in meaning.

Word Origin

The word '固执' dates back to ancient Chinese texts like the 'Book of Rites' (礼记). '固' (gù) originally meant a fortified city or stronghold, implying something hard and immovable. '执' (zhí) depicted a person with hands bound, later evolving to mean 'to hold' or 'to execute'. Together, they imply 'holding onto something as firmly as a fortress.'

Original meaning: To hold firmly to a principle or a position (originally more neutral).

Sino-Tibetan

Cultural Context

Be careful when using this word with elders or superiors; it can be seen as disrespectful.

In English, 'stubborn' can sometimes be 'cute' (like a stubborn puppy), but in Chinese, 固执 is rarely cute; it's usually a serious personality critique.

The idiom '固执己见' appears in many classical novels like 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms' to describe generals who lose battles because they won't listen. The character 'Old Qian' in some modern literature is a classic '固执' archetype. Many Chinese proverbs warn against being '固执' as it leads to isolation.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Family Arguments

你别这么固执
我爸太固执了
听听我们的意见
不要固执己见

Workplace Conflict

他工作很固执
拒绝改变方案
缺乏灵活性
固执的态度

Describing Elders

老人家比较固执
不肯换新东西
守着老规矩
固执的老头

Negotiations

对方立场固执
难以妥协
陷入僵局
固执地拒绝

Personal Growth

克服固执
学会变通
反思自己的固执
不再固执

Conversation Starters

"你觉得你是一个固执的人吗？ (Do you think you are a stubborn person?)"

"如果你遇到一个非常固执的同事，你会怎么办？ (If you meet a very stubborn colleague, what will you do?)"

"你父母有什么固执的习惯吗？ (Do your parents have any stubborn habits?)"

"固执和坚持，你觉得区别在哪里？ (Stubbornness and persistence—where do you think the difference lies?)"

"在什么情况下，固执可能是一件好事？ (In what situations might stubbornness be a good thing?)"

Journal Prompts

写一次你因为固执而犯错的经历。 (Write about a time you made a mistake because of stubbornness.)

描述一个你认识的最固执的人。 (Describe the most stubborn person you know.)

讨论一下固执如何影响团队合作。 (Discuss how stubbornness affects teamwork.)

你认为随着年龄的增长，人会变得更固执吗？为什么？ (Do you think people become more stubborn as they age? Why?)

写一段对话，其中一个人试图劝说另一个固执的人。 (Write a dialogue where one person tries to persuade a stubborn person.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Generally, yes, it carries a negative connotation in Chinese. It implies being unreasonable or unwilling to listen. If you want to describe a 'good' kind of stubbornness (persistence), use '执着' instead. For example, '他对他梦想的执着' (His dedication to his dreams) is a compliment.

Yes, but '倔强' (juéjiàng) or '淘气' (táoqì) might be more common for children. Using '固执' for a baby sounds slightly formal or serious, like you are critiquing their personality rather than just their behavior.

顽固 (wángù) is more intense and usually refers to someone being 'stuck' in old ways or ideologies. You might call a stubborn friend '固执', but you would call a reactionary politician '顽固'. 顽固 is often used to describe things that are hard to get rid of, like '顽固的污渍' (stubborn stains).

The most natural way is '别这么固执' (bié zhème gùzhí) or '别固执己见' (bié gùzhí jǐjiàn). You could also say '听劝' (tīng quàn), which means 'listen to advice'.

It is primarily an adjective, but like many Chinese adjectives, it can function as a noun (meaning 'stubbornness') in certain contexts. For example: '他的固执很有名' (His stubbornness is famous).

Usually no. It is almost exclusively for people, their personalities, or their thoughts. For a 'stubborn' physical object like a bolt that won't turn, you might use '紧' (jǐn - tight) or '坏了' (huàile - broken).

No, Chinese words do not change for plural. You can say '他们很固执' (They are very stubborn) or '那些固执的人' (Those stubborn people).

The best opposites are '开明' (kāimíng - open-minded) or '灵活' (línghuó - flexible). If you mean someone who listens, you can say '听话' (tīnghuà) or '随和' (suíhe).

Yes, '死脑筋' (sǐ nǎojīn) is very common slang. It literally means 'dead brain' and refers to someone who can't think of other possibilities or change their mind.

固 has 8 strokes (a box with ancient 'old' inside). 执 has 6 strokes (hand radical plus a component). Practice the retroflex 'zh' sound while writing it!