1.
to be stubborn; to dig in one's heels; to insist obstinately
To stubbornly hold to one's position or pride, refusing to yield or compromise even when it would be reasonable to do so. Often implies the person knows they should back down but won't.
そんなに意地を張らないで。
Don't be so stubborn.
彼は自分が間違っていても意地を張る。
He digs in his heels even when he's wrong.
意地を張って謝らなかったことを後悔している。
I regret being too stubborn to apologize.
USAGE:
The verb 張る conjugates normally as a godan verb. The expression carries a negative connotation — it implies stubbornness that is counterproductive or excessive.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 意地を張らないで (don't be stubborn)
- 意地を張って～する (stubbornly do something)
- 意地を張って～しない (stubbornly refuse to do something)
RELATED:
- 意地っ張り (stubborn person; stubbornness)
- 頑固 (obstinate — describes a personality trait, while 意地を張る describes a deliberate action)