German Conversation · Level 196
12 words
German word
hartnäckig
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈhaɐ̯tˌnɛkɪç/
Meaning
- adjectivepersistent
Example
Der hartnäckige Kunde gab nicht auf.
The persistent customer never gave up.
More examples
Ein hartnäckiges Gerücht hielt sich in der Nachbarschaft.
The persistent rumor lingered in the neighborhood.
Core concept
A person keeps pushing against a closed door long after resistance should have stopped them.
Common phrases
hartnäckige Meinung
stubborn opinion
eine hartnäckige Erkältung
persistent cold
gegen hartnäckigen Widerstand
persistent resistance
Similar words
beharrlich: Steadfastly pursuing an aim despite setbacks or obstacles.
ausdauernd: Able to sustain effort over a long period without becoming tired.
dickköpfig: Obstinately holding to personal opinions and ignoring what others say.
widerspenstig: Resisting orders or instructions and proving difficult to manage.
Definition in German
wiederholt und ausdauernd an einer Handlung, Meinung oder Forderung festhalten, auch gegen Widerstand
Word origin
Hartnäckig combines German hart, meaning hard, with Nacken, meaning nape or neck, and originally described someone with a stiff, unyielding neck.
Usage tips
- Hartnäckig often suggests annoying persistence, so positive contexts may favor ausdauernd or beharrlich.
Other meanings
- stubbornadjective
- tenaciousadjective
Opposites
- nachgiebigyieldingadjective
- einsichtigreasonableadjective
Related words
- Hartnäckigkeitpersistencenoun
- hartnäckigerweisepersistentlyadverb