πεισματάρης
peismatáris/pi.zmaˈta.ɾis/
The English word stubborn is translated into Greek as πεισματάρης (peismatáris).
The term refers to someone refusing to move or change their opinion.
Meaning: refusing to move or change one's opinion (adj)
Which one should you use?
The word πεισματάρης often carries a slightly more colloquial or character-driven nuance than the more formal adjective πεισματικός.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word changes depending on gender and number: the feminine form is πεισματάρα, the plural masculine form is πεισματάρηδες and the masculine form becomes πεισματάρη when used as a direct object in the accusative case.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has four syllables, with the stress on the third syllable.
Did you know?
- Because the word is rooted in persuasion, describing someone as πεισματάρης is a linguistic irony, as they are someone who is fundamentally impossible to persuade.
- In Greek culture, being πεισματάρης can sometimes be viewed as a positive trait of persistence or 'grit' depending on the context of the achievement.
- The suffix -άρης in πεισματάρης is a common way in Greek to create nouns that describe a person's habitual character or occupation.
Examples in context
- Ο παππούς μου είναι πολύ αδιάλλακτος. Δεν ακούει ποτέ τις συμβουλές των άλλων.My grandfather is very stubborn. He never listens to other people's advice.
- Ο μικρός αδερφός μου είναι τόσο σκληροκέφαλος! Δεν ακούει ποτέ τις συμβουλές μας.My little brother is so stubborn! He never listens to our advice.
- Ο δάσκαλός μας είναι πολύ σκληροκέφαλος. Δεν αλλάζει τη λύση ούτε αν έχει άδικο.Our teacher is very stubborn. He doesn't change the solution even if he is wrong.
- Είναι πολύ πεισματάρης.Einai poly peismataris.He is very stubborn.
- Μη γίνεσαι πεισματάρης τώρα.Mi gines peismataris tora.Don't be stubborn now.
- Ο γιος μου είναι πεισματάρης.O yios mou einai peismataris.My son is stubborn.
Example conversation
A mother and son are arguing about eating vegetables.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΦάε το φαγητό σου, Νίκο.Fae to fagitó sou, Niko.Eat your food, Nikos.
- Νίκος NikosΔεν θέλω, δεν μου αρέσει.Den thelo, den mou aresei.I don't want to, I don't like it.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΜην είσαι πεισματάρης και φάε.Min eisai peismataris kai fae.Don't be stubborn and eat.
- Νίκος NikosΌχι, δεν θα το φάω.Ochi, den tha to fao.No, I won't eat it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stubborn” translations and entries πεισματάρης, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries πεισματάρης, CC BY-SA 4.0.
