顽固

• Pinyin: wán gù
• Hanzi breakdown: 顽 = 元 (primary) + 页 (head/page, phonetic); 固 = 囗 (enclosure) + 古 (ancient, phonetic)

Meaning

Stubborn; obstinate; pigheaded. Describes a person who refuses to change their views or behaviour despite good reasons to do so.

Carries a clearly negative connotation. Used for people who are inflexibly resistant to new ideas, persuasion, or change — especially in political, ideological, or interpersonal contexts. Can also describe persistent problems (e.g. a stubborn stain or chronic condition) metaphorically.

Examples

1. 他顽固地坚持自己的旧观念，不愿接受任何新的信息。 He stubbornly clings to his old beliefs and is unwilling to take in any new information.
2. 这种顽固的偏见根植于他们的文化传统，很难在短期内消除。 This kind of stubborn prejudice is deeply rooted in their cultural tradition and is hard to eliminate in the short term.
3. 医生说这个病人的病情十分顽固，普通药物已经无法控制了。 The doctor said the patient's condition is extremely persistent and can no longer be controlled with ordinary medication.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, interpersonal, medical

Tone: critical

Do Say

• 他是个顽固的保守派，从不接受任何改革建议。(He's a die-hard conservative who never accepts any reform proposals.)
• 这种细菌具有顽固的耐药性，给治疗带来了很大挑战。(This bacterium has stubborn drug resistance, posing a major challenge to treatment.)

Don't Say

• 把顽固当作中性或褒义词使用，如'他顽固地追求梦想' — for positive persistence use 坚持不懈 or 执着; 顽固 always implies wrongheaded stubbornness

Origin & History

Compound of 顽 (stubborn, naughty — originally meaning 'hard stone', hence immovable) and 固 (firm, solid). Together convey unyielding rigidity.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal