粘り強い
nebariyuyoi
The English word 'tenacious' is translated into Japanese as 粘り強い (nebariyuyoi).
粘り強い is used to describe someone who is unwilling to yield from a point of view etc. Dogged. To specifically say that someone 'has tenacity', you can use the phrase 根気 が ある. If you want to describe the quality of not giving up, the term 諦めない is appropriate. For a more colloquial expression meaning one has the guts or spirit to fight against adversity, use 根性がある.
Meaning: unwilling to yield from a point of view etc, dogged (adj)
How do you pronounce it?
nebariyuyoi
Did you know?
- The word 粘り強い contains the character 粘, which refers to the physical stickiness or viscosity of substances like rice or honey. It suggests that a person's character has a 'sticky' quality that clings to a goal.
- The verb 諦める in 諦めない originally meant 'to give up on a mistaken view' and to 'see the truth'. To be tenacious in this sense is to refuse to accept a situation as final.
- In Japanese culture, the quality of 粘り強い is often praised in the context of 'negotiation' or 'sales'. It describes a person who can withstand repeated refusals without becoming discouraged.
Examples in context
- 彼は根気強い人だ。He is a tenacious person.
- 彼女は粘り強く頑張った。She persisted and worked hard.
- 彼は本当に根性があるよね。He really has a fighting spirit, doesn't he?
- 彼は諦めない性格だから、いつも成功するよ。He always succeeds because he has a personality that never gives up.
- 彼は粘り強い性格です。Kare wa nebarizuyoi seikaku desu.He has a tenacious personality.
- 粘り強い交渉が大切です。Nebarizuyoi koushou ga taisetsu desu.Tenacious negotiation is important.
- 彼女は粘り強い捜査を続けた。Kanojo wa nebarizuyoi sousa o tsuzuketa.She continued her tenacious investigation.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing a difficult project at the office.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太さんは粘り強いですね。Youta-san wa nebarizuyoi desu ne.You are very tenacious, Youta.
- 陽太 Yota諦めるわけにはいきません。Akirameru wake ni wa ikimasen.I cannot afford to give up.
- 美咲 Misakiその姿勢は尊敬します。Sono shisei wa sonkei shimasu.I respect that attitude.
- 陽太 Yota最後までやり遂げます。Saigo made yaritogemasu.I will see it through to the end.
