根性(こんじょう)

こんじょう
noun
willpower; guts; determination
personalityemotion
1. willpower; guts; determination
Strong mental fortitude and perseverance. The ability to push through difficulties without giving up.
根性(こんじょう)のある人(ひと)だ。
That person has guts.
根性(こんじょう)で最後(さいご)まで走(はし)りきった。
I ran all the way to the end through sheer willpower.
あの選手(せんしゅ)は根性(こんじょう)があるから、簡単(かんたん)にはあきらめない。
That athlete has determination, so they won't give up easily.
2. temperament; nature; disposition
A person's fundamental character or nature, often used in a negative sense to describe an unpleasant disposition.
根性(こんじょう)が悪(わる)い。
To have a bad nature.
あいつは根性(こんじょう)が曲(ま)がっている。
That guy has a twisted personality.
根性(こんじょう)の腐(くさ)った人間(にんげん)とは付(つ)き合(あ)いたくない。
I don't want to associate with people who have a rotten character.

Sense 1 is positive, praising perseverance and fighting spirit. Common collocations: 根性(こんじょう)がある (to have guts), 根性(こんじょう)で頑張(がんば)る (to persevere through willpower). Sense 2 is negative, describing someone's unpleasant character. Common collocations: 根性(こんじょう)が悪(わる)い (bad-natured), 根性(こんじょう)が曲(ま)がっている (twisted nature), 根性(こんじょう)が腐(くさ)っている (rotten character). The compound 根性論(こんじょうろん) refers to the belief that willpower alone can overcome any challenge.

Related Words

Synonym: 度胸(どきょう) (nerve, boldness)
Related: 七転(ななころ)び八起(やお)き (fall seven times, get up eight)
Related: 気概(きがい) (spirit)
Compare: けなげさ (admirable courage)
Compare: 闘争心(とうそうしん) (fighting spirit)
Compare: 気骨(きこつ) (backbone)
Compare: 勝負心(しょうぶしん) (fighting spirit)
Compare: 負(ま)けん気(き) (competitive spirit)
general
Added 2026.3.25 10:32 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
19000/19215_konjou