How to say "persistent" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 執拗しつようna-adjectiveCovers persistent in the sense of relentless and unrelenting, refusing to let go; the tone is often negative. Typical of persistent questioning, pursuit, or attacks that simply will not stop.
- i-adjectiveDescribes insistent, obstinate persistence that grates on people — the caller who will not take no for an answer. The nuance is negative: annoying rather than admirable.
- 粘り強いねばりづよいi-adjectivePersistent in the positive sense of tenacious, persevering effort — sticking with a task, negotiation, or match until it succeeds. This is the word for persistence you praise, not persistence that annoys.
- 不断ふだんno-adjective, na-adjectiveA noun for the constant, unremitting side of persistent — persistence maintained without pause over a long stretch, typically of effort or practice. It names the quality itself rather than describing a person as annoying.
- 頑強がんきょうna-adjectivePersistent as dogged toughness — holding out stubbornly and refusing to yield under pressure, as in hard-fought negotiations or resistance. The emphasis is on strength and unyieldingness rather than repetition.
Choose 執拗 or 「しつこい」 for relentless, annoying persistence, 「粘り強い」 for admirable, persevering effort, 頑強 for dogged toughness that refuses to yield, and 不断 for constant, unremitting persistence over time.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 執拗しつようpersistent
- しつこいinsistent
- 粘り強いねばりづよいtenacious
- 不断ふだんconstant
- 頑強がんきょうstubborn
- 持続的じぞくてきcontinuous
- ねちっこいpersistent
- 永続性えいぞくせいpersistent
- 執念深いしゅうねんぶかいtenacious
- たゆまないuntiring
- 飽くなきあくなきinsatiable
- 永続的えいぞくてきpermanent
- 根気強いこんきづよいpersevering
- 粘っこいねばっこいtenacious
- うるさいannoying
- 油ギッシュあぶらギッシュpersistent (person, personality, etc.)
- うっさいannoying
See also
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