頑固(がんこ)

がんこ
na-adjective, noun
stubborn; obstinate; headstrong
personality
1. stubborn; obstinate; pigheaded
Unwilling to change one's opinions, attitudes, or actions despite good reasons to do so. Can describe a person's character or specific behavior.
うちの父(ちち)は頑固(がんこ)で、一度(いちど)決(き)めたら絶対(ぜったい)に変(か)えない。
My father is stubborn—once he's decided something, he absolutely won't change his mind.
頑固親父(がんこおやじ)だけど、根(ね)は優(やさ)しい。
He's a stubborn old man, but he's kind at heart.
祖父(そふ)は頑固(がんこ)に自分(じぶん)のやり方(かた)を貫(つらぬ)いてきた職人(しょくにん)だった。
My grandfather was a craftsman who stubbornly stuck to his own methods throughout his career.
2. stubborn; persistent (of stains, symptoms, etc.)
Difficult to remove or get rid of. Used for things that won't go away easily.
頑固(がんこ)な汚(よご)れがなかなか落(お)ちない。
The stubborn stain won't come off easily.
頑固(がんこ)な風邪(かぜ)がなかなか治(なお)らない。
This stubborn cold just won't go away.
この油(あぶら)汚(よご)れは頑固(がんこ)で、普通(ふつう)の洗剤(せんざい)では落(お)ちなかった。
This grease stain is so stubborn that regular detergent couldn't get it off.

Usage

For people, usually negative but can be used with grudging respect for someone who sticks to their principles. 頑固親父(がんこおやじ) often carries affection despite the complaint.

Common collocations

Related words

Related Words

Synonym: 強情(ごうじょう) (stubborn (negative))
Antonym: 素直(すなお) (obedient, receptive)
Synonym: 意地(いじ)っ張(ぱ)り (obstinate, contrary)
Related: 頭(あたま)が固(かた)い (stubborn, inflexible (idiom))
Related: 頑丈(がんじょう) (sturdy)
Compare: 偏屈(へんくつ) (eccentric, stubborn, cranky)
Related: 意地(いじ)を張(は)る (to be stubborn)
Compare: 固執(こしつ)する (to persist in)
Compare: 一本気(いっぽんぎ) (single-minded)
Compare: つむじまがり (perverse person)
Compare: コチコチ (stiff)
Compare: 石頭(いしあたま) (stubborn person)
general
Added 2026.1.18 12:52 · Revised 2026.9.2 12:02
06500/06643_ganko