Inklingo

How to Say "obstinate" in Spanish

English → Spanish

obstinado

ob-stee-NAH-doh/obs.ti.ˈna.ðo/

adjectiveB1formal
Use 'obstinado' for a general, somewhat formal, and direct translation of 'obstinate' or 'stubborn' when describing someone's persistent refusal to change their mind.
A donkey sitting down firmly on a path, refusing to move even as a person gently pulls on its rope.

Examples

Mi abuelo es un hombre muy obstinado.

My grandfather is a very obstinate man.

Se mostró obstinado en su decisión de no vender la casa.

He remained stubborn in his decision not to sell the house.

No seas tan obstinado y escucha los consejos de tus amigos.

Don't be so stubborn and listen to your friends' advice.

Word Endings for Gender

Since this is an adjective, you must change the ending to match the person: 'obstinado' for a man and 'obstinada' for a woman.

Using with 'Ser' vs 'Estar'

Use 'ser' when describing a person's personality trait (who they are). Use 'estar' if they are just acting stubborn in a specific moment.

Thinking it's always negative

Mistake: “Using 'obstinado' only as an insult.”

Correction: In some contexts, especially in literature, it can imply a respectable level of persistence or determination.

Gender mismatch

Mistake: “Ella es muy obstinado.”

Correction: Say 'Ella es muy obstinada' because you are describing a female.

terco

/TAIR-koh//ˈteɾ.ko/

adjectiveB1formal or intense
Choose 'terco' when you want to emphasize a strong, often intense, and sometimes unreasonable stubbornness, implying a more ingrained or difficult-to-change nature.
A small donkey planting its hooves firmly in the ground, refusing to move while a person gently pulls on a rope.

Examples

Mi abuelo es muy terco y no quiere ir al médico.

My grandfather is very stubborn and doesn't want to go to the doctor.

No seas tan terco, escucha los consejos de tus amigos.

Don't be so stubborn; listen to your friends' advice.

A pesar de las pruebas, él se mantiene terco en su posición.

Despite the evidence, he remains stubborn in his position.

Matching the Gender

The word ends in 'o' for men (terco) and changes to 'a' for women (terca).

Being vs. Acting

Use 'ser' to describe a personality trait (He is a stubborn person), but use 'ponerse' to describe someone just being difficult in a specific moment.

Don't use it for objects

Mistake: “La puerta está terca.”

Correction: La puerta está trabada o dura.

testarudo

/tes-tah-ROO-doh//testaˈɾuðo/

adjectiveB1formal
Opt for 'testarudo' as another formal synonym for 'stubborn', often implying a high degree of headstrongness or a refusal to be persuaded.
A donkey standing firmly with its legs planted in the ground, resisting a person pulling on its rope.

Examples

Mi abuelo es un hombre muy testarudo.

My grandfather is a very stubborn man.

No seas testarudo y acepta mi ayuda.

Don't be stubborn and accept my help.

Fue tan testaruda que no quiso leer las instrucciones.

She was so headstrong that she didn't want to read the instructions.

Matching for Men and Women

Since this is a word that describes people, you must change the ending to 'a' if you are talking about a woman (testaruda).

The 'To Be' Choice

Use 'ser' if being stubborn is part of someone's permanent personality, but use 'estar' if they are just acting stubborn in a specific moment.

Forgetting Gender Agreement

Mistake: “Mi hermana es testarudo.”

Correction: Mi hermana es testaruda. Always match the 'o' or 'a' to the person's gender.

Choosing Between 'Obstinado' and 'Terco'

Learners often confuse 'obstinado' and 'terco'. While both mean stubborn, 'terco' generally implies a stronger, more ingrained, and potentially more negative form of stubbornness than the more neutral 'obstinado'.

Related Translations

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