testardo
/tesˈtar.do/
The English word stubborn can be translated into Italian using testardo or ostinato.
Meaning: refusing to move or change one's opinion (adj)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| testardo | /tesˈtar.do/ |
| ostinato | /os.tiˈna.to/ |
Both words describe a person who refuses to change their opinion or move from a position.
Which one should you use?
ostinato is a synonym that is more formal. It can also imply a sense of persistence or being single-minded in a way that is less purely negative than testardo.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adjectives in Italian must agree in gender and number with the person they describe. For a woman, use the feminine form testarda. For a group of men or a mixed-gender group, use the masculine plural testardi. For a group of women, use the feminine plural testarde.
How do you pronounce it?
The word testardo has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable. The IPA transcription is /tesˈtar.do/.
Did you know?
- In music, the term ostinato is used to describe a motif or rhythm that is repeated persistently throughout a piece.
- The Latin root of ostinato, obstinātus, literally means 'to stand firmly', combining 'ob' (against) and 'stare' (to stand).
- Italian speakers often use the phrase testa dura (hard head) as a noun phrase to describe a stubborn person, rather than using the adjective testardo.
Examples in context
- Tom non è ostinato.Tom isn't stubborn.This sentence uses ostinato.Tatoeba #4247474 by Guybrush88, translation #3409103 by CK
- Lui è molto testardo.He is very stubborn.This sentence uses testardo.Tatoeba #7799419 by Guybrush88, translation #7775108 by sharris123
- Perché è così ostinato?Why are you being so stubborn?Tatoeba #8010881 by Guybrush88, translation #2892896 by CK
- La signora Rossi è davvero testarda. Non importa quante prove vengano presentate, lei non cambia mai idea.Mrs. Rossi is truly stubborn. It doesn't matter how much evidence is presented, she never changes her mind.
- Marco è davvero terco. Anche quando sbaglia, non ammette mai di aver torto.Marco is really stubborn. Even when he's wrong, he never admits it.
- Lei è un po' testarda.She's a little stubborn.
- È terribilmente testardo.He/she is terribly stubborn.
- Nonno Franco è un uomo ostinato. Non si arrende mai.Grandpa Franco is a stubborn man. He never gives up.
- Giovanni è davvero caparbio. Non si arrende mai, indipendentemente dalle difficoltà.Giovanni is truly stubborn. He never gives up, regardless of the difficulties.
- 54 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Chiara are discussing a decision.
- LorenzoDobbiamo cambiare piano, non essere testardo!We have to change the plan, don't be stubborn!
- ChiaraNon sono testardo, ho solo ragione io.I'm not stubborn, I'm just right.
- LorenzoSei proprio testardo quando vuoi qualcosa.You are really stubborn when you want something.
- ChiaraForse è vero, ma non cambierò idea.Maybe it's true, but I won't change my mind.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stubborn” translations and entries testardo, ostinato, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ostinato, testardo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
