How do you use "Stubborn as a mule" in a sentence?

He's stubborn as a mule about it. She's stubborn as a mule—won't budge. That child is stubborn as a mule.

Stubborn as a mule

Q: What does "Stubborn as a mule" mean?

Extremely obstinate; refusing to change position. Someone 'stubborn as a mule' refuses to change their mind or behaviour—like mules famous for standing still and refusing to move.

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★☆ Common Casual

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Meaning: Extremely obstinate; refusing to change position.

极其固执；拒绝改变立场。

Extremadamente obstinado; que se niega a cambiar de postura.

極めて頑固。考えを変えようとしない。

극도로 고집이 센. 입장을 바꾸려 하지 않는.

Someone 'stubborn as a mule' refuses to change their mind or behaviour—like mules famous for standing still and refusing to move.

'stubborn as a mule（像骡子一样固执）'形容一个人拒绝改变想法或行为——就像以站着不动、拒绝行走闻名的骡子一样。

Alguien 'stubborn as a mule' (terco como una mula) se niega a cambiar de opinión o de comportamiento, como las mulas famosas por quedarse quietas y negarse a moverse.

「stubborn as a mule（ラバのように頑固）」は、考えや行動を変えようとしない人のこと——じっと立ったまま動かないことで有名なラバのように。

'stubborn as a mule'은 생각이나 행동을 바꾸려 하지 않는 사람을 묘사한다—제자리에 서서 움직이지 않기로 유명한 노새처럼.

Examples

He's stubborn as a mule about it.
他在这件事上固执得像头骡子。
Es terco como una mula con eso.
彼はそのことに関してはラバのように頑固だ。
그는 그 일에 관해서는 노새처럼 고집이 세다.
She's stubborn as a mule—won't budge.
她固执得像头骡子——寸步不让。
Es terca como una mula, no cede.
彼女はラバのように頑固で——一歩も引かない。
그녀는 노새처럼 고집이 세서—꿈쩍도 안 한다.
That child is stubborn as a mule.
那孩子倔得像头骡子。
Ese niño es terco como una mula.
あの子はラバのように頑固だ。
저 아이는 노새처럼 고집불통이다.

Pronunciation

/ˈstʌbən æz ə mjuːl/

Usage Guide

Context: stubbornness, arguments, frustration

Tone: exasperated, critical

✓ Do Say

Stubborn as a mule
像骡子一样固执
terco como una mula
ラバのように頑固
노새처럼 고집이 세다
As stubborn as a mule
倔得像骡子
cabezota como una mula
頑として動かない
꿈쩍도 안 하다

Common Mistakes

Always about obstinate refusal

Origin & History

Mules are notoriously stubborn—they stop and refuse to move. This reputation made them the perfect comparison for obstinate humans.

Etymology: Mules are famously obstinate and refuse to move

First recorded: Historical expression

Cultural Context

Era: Historical to present

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Universal expression

Regional notes: English-language universal.

Variations

Stubborn as a muleAs stubborn as a mule