Korean word

고집

Pronunciation

Romanizationkojip

Meaning

  • nounstubbornness

Example

그는 고집이 세서 의견을 잘 바꾸지 않는다.keu neun ko ji bi se seo ui gyeo neul chal pa kku ji an neun da

He is stubborn, so he does not easily change his opinion.

Illustration for 고집 (stubbornness)

More examples

아이는 고집을 부릴 때는 달래는 게 좋다.a i neun ko ji beul pu ril ttae neun tal lae neun ke cho ta

It is best to soothe a child when they are being stubborn.

Core concept

Holding firmly to a personal opinion or familiar way instead of yielding.

Common phrases

  • 고집을 부리다ko ji beul pu ri da

    act stubbornly

  • 고집이 세다ko ji bi se da

    be hardheaded

  • 고집을 꺾다ko ji beul kkeok tta

    make someone give in

Similar words

완고함wangoham: A rigid character that does not readily adjust its views or attitude.
고집부림kojipppurim: The act of strongly demanding a desired outcome and refusing to yield.
집요함chibyoham: Steady determination to keep pursuing something through repeated attempts.

Definition in Korean

자기가 옳다고 믿는 것이나 평소의 방식과 태도를 쉽게 굽히지 않고 끝까지 지키는 마음이나 행동.cha gi ga ol ta go min neun keo si na pyeong so ui pang sik kkwa tae do reul swip kke ku pi ji an ko kkeut kka ji chi ki neun ma eu mi na haeng dong

Word origin

The word comes from Sino-Korean elements meaning firm and hold fast, making its origin a clear picture of keeping one's position tightly.

Usage tips

  • English speakers can remember that this word describes a person's attitude, not just one single refusal, so it can apply to repeated patterns in conversation or behavior.

Other meanings

  • willfulnessnoun
  • insistencenoun

Opposites

  • 유연성yuyeonseongflexibilitynoun
  • 융통성yungtongseongopen-mindednessnoun

Related words

  • 고집스럽다kojipsseureopttawillfuladjective
  • 고집쟁이kojipjjaengihardheadnoun
  • 고집불통kojipppultongstubborn personnoun

Word lists with this word