How to say "stubborn" in Japanese

• 頑固がんこJLPT N1approx.Common
  na-adjective, nounCovers the core sense of stubborn: set in one's ways and unwilling to change one's mind. The everyday word for a pigheaded person, often with a slightly affectionate tone, as in a stubborn old man.
  彼かれは性質せいしつが頑固がんこだ。↗

  He is obstinate in disposition.
• 頑なかたくなCommon
  na-adjectiveStubborn in the sense of hardened and unyielding, especially refusing to open one's heart or compromise. Carries a literary, serious nuance: a stubborn refusal to forgive or accept help.
• 頑強がんきょうCommon
  na-adjectiveReally means dogged, tenacious, or persistent — stubborn in the sense of holding out firmly, as of resistance, defense, or determination. Not the usual word for a pigheaded personality.
  当局とうきょくは地域ちいき住民じゅうみんの頑強がんきょうな抵抗ていこうにあった。↗

  The authorities met with unyielding opposition from the locals.
• 強情ごうじょうCommon
  na-adjective, nounStubborn as headstrong and wilfully contrary: a person who insists on having their way despite warnings. More disapproving than 頑固, coloring the person as plainly obstinate.
  彼かれはああ強情ごうじょうだとは思おもわなかった。↗

  I never thought he was all that stubborn.
• 一徹いってつCommon
  na-adjective, no-adjectiveStubborn through inflexibility: sticking to one's own ways or principles to the last, as in a man stubbornly devoted to his routine. Often describes single-minded, unbending characters.
  頑固一徹がんこいってつのボスだと思おもっていたけれど、結構けっこうかわいいところもあるじゃない。↗

  I thought our boss was stubborn as a mule but actually he has his cute side.

Use 頑固 for everyday pigheadedness, 「頑な」 for refusal to open up or compromise, 強情 for headstrong willfulness, 一徹 for inflexible single-mindedness, and 頑強 mainly for tenacious persistence rather than personality.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 頑固がんこstubborn
• 頑なかたくなobstinate
• 頑強がんきょうstubborn
• 強情ごうじょうobstinate
• 一徹いってつobstinate
• 強硬きょうこうfirm
• 手ごわいてごわいdifficult
• 粘り強いねばりづよいtenacious
• 執拗しつようpersistent
• 我が強いががつよいstubborn
• 頑固一徹がんこいってつstubborn
• 我の強いがのつよいstubborn
• 情張りじょうはりstubborn
• したたかtough
• 偏屈へんくつnarrow-minded
• 意固地いこじobstinate
• ねちっこいpersistent
• 頑迷がんめいbigoted
• 狷介けんかいobstinate
• 意地っ張りいじっぱりobstinate
• 執念深いしゅうねんぶかいtenacious
• 金槌頭かなづちあたまhard-headed
• 固陋頑迷ころうがんめいobstinate
• へんこobstinate
• しぶといtenacious
• 頭が固いあたまがかたいthickheaded
• 鼻っ柱が強いはなっぱしらがつよいhard-nosed
• 鼻っ柱の強いはなっぱしらのつよいhard-nosed
• 鼻っぱしが強いはなっぱしがつよいhard-nosed
• 一刻いっこくstubborn
• 一国いっこくstubborn
• 粘っこいねばっこいtenacious
• こわいinflexible
• 腰強こしづよstubborn
• 硬いかたいobstinate
• カチカチhidebound