固執 / 固执
gu³ zap¹
The English word 'stubborn' can be translated into Cantonese using 固執 / 固执 (gu³ zap¹). Wiktionary also lists 硬頸 / 硬颈 (ngaang⁶ geng²) and 牛皮 (ngau⁴ pei⁴).
Meaning: refusing to move or change one's opinion (adj)
Ways to say it
| Cantonese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 固執 / 固执 | gu³ zap¹ |
| 硬頸 / 硬颈 | ngaang⁶ geng² |
| 牛皮 | ngau⁴ pei⁴ |
These terms describe the quality of refusing to move or change one's opinion. The formal term 固執 / 固执 can mean stubborn, tenacious or persistent. This is often extended to the phrase 固執己見 to specifically emphasize someone being stubborn in holding onto their personal opinions or viewpoints.
Which one should you use?
While 固執 / 固执 is the standard and formal way to say stubborn, 硬頸 / 硬颈 is a more colorful and colloquial way to describe someone being headstrong. Additionally, although 牛皮 may appear in some dictionaries as a term for stubbornness, it is more commonly used to mean bragging or boasting.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation for 固執 / 固执 is gu³ zap¹.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be cautious with 牛皮. In many common Cantonese contexts, it means 'bragging' or 'boasting' rather than 'stubborn'.
Did you know?
- The character 固 in 固執 originally depicted an ancient walled city. This implies a mind that is 'fortified' and impossible to penetrate with new ideas.
- Calling someone 硬頸 can occasionally be a compliment in certain contexts, suggesting a person has the 'backbone' or grit to stand their ground against unfairness.
- The phrase 固執己見 describes a person who is 'stubbornly holding their own view'. In Cantonese culture, this can be a criticism of someone lacking the humility to listen to elders.
Examples in context
- 佢好固執，一聽到唔鍾意嘅提議，就唔肯改變自己嘅意見。He is very stubborn, once he hears a suggestion he doesn't like, he refuses to change his opinion.
- 佢固執己見，從不聽別人嘅建議。He is stubborn and never listens to other people's advice.
- 佢無理極咗，就算你點解，佢都唔會聽你講。He is being extremely stubborn, no matter what you say, he won't listen.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stubborn” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
