頑固
ganko
The Japanese word for stubborn is 頑固 (ganko).
頑固 is typically used to describe a person's personality or a fixed attitude, often with a slightly negative connotation of being difficult to persuade.
Meaning: refusing to move or change one's opinion (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 頑固 is composed of the kanji 頑 (stubborn/obstinate) and 固 (hard/firm).
Which one should you use?
While 頑固 is the standard term, you might use しぶとい (shibutoi) to informally describe someone with an enduring and stubborn nature or 頑迷 (ganmei) to formally describe someone who is stubborn and unyielding.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use 頑固 as an adjective to modify a noun, you must add な to the end. To use it as a predicate (for example, to say 'He is stubborn'), you add だ or です to the end.
How do you pronounce it?
ganko
Did you know?
- While 頑固 (ganko) is usually negative, it is sometimes used as a compliment for craftsmen or artists to describe a devotion to perfection that refuses to compromise.
- In Japanese pop culture, the 'stubborn' archetype is often linked to the 頑固親父 (ganko oyaji) or 'stubborn old man' who is grumpy but secretly kind-hearted.
- The word しぶとい (shibutoi) can describe not just a stubborn person but also a stubborn stain or a persistent cold that will not go away.
Examples in context
- トムって頑固だと思う。I think Tom is stubborn.This sentence uses 頑固 to express a personal opinion about someone's stubbornness.Tatoeba #3591860 by arnab, translation #3183978 by CK
- 頑固な人が好きじゃない。I don't like stubborn people.This sentence uses 頑固 to describe a dislike for stubborn people.Tatoeba #8599914 by small_snow, translation #5026252 by AlanF_US
- あいつ、年取るごとにどんどん頑固になってくな。As he gets older, he's getting more and more stubborn.This sentence uses 頑固 to describe someone becoming increasingly stubborn with age.Tatoeba #10171395 by small_snow, translation #2004539 by AlanF_US
- 私の祖母はとても頑固です。My grandmother is very stubborn.
- 彼の頑迷な意見には驚きました。I was surprised by his stubborn opinion.
- 会議で彼は強情に自分の案を主張しました。He stubbornly insisted on his idea during the meeting.
- 彼は本当にがんこな人ですね。He is really stubborn, isn't he?
- 彼女は頑強な性格をしているよ。She has a strong and stubborn personality.
- 彼はしぶとい性格で、なかなか諦めません。He has a stubborn personality and doesn't easily give up.
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a cafe, Misaki talks about her brother to Yota.
- 美咲 Misaki兄は本当に頑固なんです。Ani wa hontou ni ganko nan desu.My brother is really stubborn.
- 陽太 Yota美咲さんの兄さんは大変だね。Misaki-san no ani-san wa taihen dane.Your brother sounds difficult, Misaki.
- 美咲 Misaki全然意見を聞いてくれないの。Zenzen iken o kiite kurenai no.He never listens to my opinions.
- 陽太 Yotaそれは困ったね。Sore wa komatta ne.That's a problem.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
