stubborn

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading is がん, and no kun reading is listed. It has 13 strokes. It appears in words for stubborn qualities and persevering effort.
• Basic usage: 頑固 is read がんこ and 頑張る is read がんばる.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 頑固 / 頑張る
  • 頑固 means stubborn or persistent and is read がんこ. It describes a person who will not change an opinion or a stain that is hard to remove.
  • 父は一度決めると意見を変えない頑固な人です。 means “My father is stubborn and never changes his mind once he has made a decision.”
  • 頑張る means do one's best or persevere and is read がんばる. It describes persevering and doing one’s best in a game or in study.
  • 明日の試合でも最後まで頑張ります。 means “I will do my best through the end of tomorrow's game.”