How do you say "stubborn" in Chinese?

固执

gù zhí

Adjective Hanzi

In Chinese, "stubborn" is 固执 (gù zhí).

Listen to the pronunciation:

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Pronunciation

Pronounce gù zhí by giving it "gù" snapped down sharply (fourth tone), then "zhí" pushed upward like a question (second tone).

Writing and usage

固执 is written using hanzi. It's a adjective, part of the vocabulary taught in the Noun Town language learning game.

Example sentence

那头固执的骡子不肯动弹。

nà tóu gù zhí de luó zi bù kěn dòng tán 。

The stubborn mule would not move.

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How to remember 固执

Link the syllable "goo jee" to a quick mental flash of stubborn, and "gù zhí" will stick as stubborn.

Related words

Browse all Chinese words in the glossary.

Questions about 固执

How do you pronounce 固执?

Pronounce gù zhí by giving it "gù" snapped down sharply (fourth tone), then "zhí" pushed upward like a question (second tone).

Is 固执 formal or casual?

固执 is a neutral, everyday word that works in both casual and polite speech.

How is 固执 used in Chinese?

固执 is used the same way as the equivalent English adjective. For example: 那头固执的骡子不肯动弹。 (The stubborn mule would not move.).

Where can I practice Chinese words for free?

You can play free Chinese minigames in your browser on the Noun Town online games page, no sign-up required. Every word in the Chinese glossary also has native audio and an example sentence you can revisit any time.

"Stubborn" in other languages

Curated by Jack Ratcliffe

This word is part of the vocabulary taught in the Chinese language learning game Noun Town, where words are introduced through play rather than memorisation. Want to play the full game? Get Noun Town on Steam.

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