Japanese word

執念

Pronunciation

Romajishūnen

Meaning

  • nounpersistence

Example

その選手は執念で勝ちました。so no sen shu wa shū nen de ka chi ma shi ta

That player won through persistence.

Illustration for 執念 (persistence)

More examples

その監督は若手の育成に執念を燃やしています。so no kan toku wa waka te no iku sei ni shū nen o mo ya shi te i ma su

The coach is relentlessly committed to developing young players.

Core concept

Describes a thought or desire held so firmly that it keeps a person focused on the same goal despite obstacles.

Common phrases

  • 執念を燃やすshū nen o mo ya su

    be driven by fierce determination

  • 執念を見せるshū nen o mi se ru

    demonstrate tenacity

  • 執念を貫くshū nen o tsuranu ku

    remain steadfast in one's determination

Similar words

執着shūchaku: A strong emotional attachment that makes it hard to let go of something.
固執koshitsu: Continued insistence on one view or way of doing things despite opposing evidence.
根気konki: Patience and stamina for continuing a task until it is finished.
粘りnebari: Persistent effort that continues until a desired result is reached.

Definition in Japanese

一つのことを強く思い続け、困難にあってもあきらめない気持ち。hito tsu no ko to o tsuyo ku omo i tsuzu ke kon nan ni a tte mo a ki ra me na i ki mo chi

Word origin

The compound 執念 (shūnen) combines 執 (shū, "hold fast") and 念 (nen, "thought or feeling"), expressing a thought or feeling held firmly.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese sports coverage, 執念 (shūnen) often praises a player's refusal to give up, while 執念深い (shūnenbukai) can suggest a more troubling fixation.

Other meanings

  • obsessionnoun
  • tenacitynoun

Opposites

  • 無関心mukanshinindifferencenoun

Related words

  • 執念深いshūnenbukaipersistentna-adjective

Word lists with this word