Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| terco | /ˈteɾko/ | |
| testarudo | /testaˈɾudo/ | |
| cabezota | /kabeˈθota/ /kabeˈsota/ |
familiar |
| cabezadura | /kabeθaˈduɾa/ /kabesaˈduɾa/ |
|
| porfiado | /poɾˈfjado/ | |
| tozudo | /toˈθudo/ /toˈsudo/ |
|
| obcecado | /obθeˈkado/ /obseˈkado/ |
|
| necio | /ˈneθjo/ /ˈnesjo/ |
All these words describe a person who refuses to change their opinion or move. However, the nuance varies: terco focuses on the refusal to change one's mind, while necio often implies the person is being foolish or lacking wisdom in their stubbornness. For an even more intense meaning, obcecado suggests the person is so stubborn they have become 'blinded' to reality or the truth.
What does it mean word for word?
The word cabezota is an augmentative form of cabeza (head), which literally implies someone has a 'big head' because of their stubbornness.
Which one should you use?
While terco is a standard term for refusing to change an opinion, necio adds a sense of being foolish. Obcecado is more intense, suggesting a person is blinded to the truth. Cabezota is a more lighthearted or colloquial way to describe someone compared to the more serious terco.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
If you want to be formal, use obstinado/a, which emphasizes a person's strong-willed and unyielding nature. For a more colloquial, familiar or even affectionate and lighthearted way to call someone stubborn, use cabezota. Terco is generally more serious than cabezota.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin America, you will commonly hear terco/a and testarudo/a. In Spain, cabezota is widely used and tozudo/a is a regional variation used to describe someone who is excessively stubborn or unwavering in their opinions.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈteɾko/
Did you know?
- Terco is likely a cognate with the Italian word tirchio and the Catalan word enterc, both of which refer to rigidity or stinginess.
- Depending on the region, calling someone cabezota can be an affectionate tease rather than a criticism.
Examples in context
- Estás viejo y terco.You've become old and stubborn.This sentence shows how to describe someone as being both old and stubborn using terco.Tatoeba #1190939 by marcelostockle, translation #1190941 by CK
- Tú eres bien necio, ¿no?You're pretty stubborn, aren't you.This sentence uses necio to ask if someone is being stubborn.Tatoeba #9696108 by Shadow96, translation #5851097 by CK
- ¿Tú me consideras terco?Do you think I'm stubborn?This sentence uses terco to ask if someone considers the speaker to be stubborn.Tatoeba #10205357 by Shishir, translation #3820533 by CK
- María es muy testaruda y siempre se niega a cambiar su opinión.María is very stubborn and always refuses to change her mind.
- El juez se mostró obstinado y no aceptó ninguno de los argumentos presentados por la defensa.The judge was stubborn and didn't accept any of the defense's arguments.
- Mi hermano es bastante terco. Siempre quiere hacer las cosas a su manera.My brother is quite stubborn, he always wants to do things his own way.
- Ángela es cabezota y nunca cambia su opinión, aunque le presentes pruebas contundentes.Ángela is stubborn and never changes her mind, even if you present strong evidence to her.
- 28 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are arguing about which way to go.
- AlejandroEste es el camino correcto, no voy a cambiar.This is the right way, I am not going to change.
- ElenaNo seas tan terco, Alejandro. Estamos perdidos.Don't be so stubborn, Alejandro. We are lost.
- AlejandroNo estoy terco, estoy seguro de mi camino.I am not stubborn, I am sure of my way.
- ElenaMira el mapa y verás que tengo razón.Look at the map and you will see that I am right.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stubborn” translations and entries terco, testarudo, cabezota, cabezadura, porfiado, tozudo, obcecado, necio, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cabezadura, cabezota, terco, testarudo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
