Inklingo

How to Say "stubborn" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “stubborn” is “terco” — use 'terco' for someone who generally refuses to change their mind or accept different viewpoints, often in a persistent way.

terco🔊B1

Use 'terco' for someone who generally refuses to change their mind or accept different viewpoints, often in a persistent way.

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obstinado🔊B1

Choose 'obstinado' when someone is firmly resolved to maintain their opinion or course of action, even when faced with opposition.

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testarudo🔊B1

'Testarudo' is used for someone who is unwilling to change their opinion or behavior, often implying a strong, sometimes irrational, resistance.

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dificil🔊B1

Use 'difícil' to describe a person, especially a child, who is hard to manage or persuade because they insist on having their own way.

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necio🔊B2

Employ 'necio' when someone is foolishly stubborn, refusing to change their mind or behavior, often in a way that seems unreasonable.

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cerrado🔊C1

Opt for 'cerrado' to describe someone who is narrow-minded and unwilling to consider new ideas or change their deeply held beliefs.

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English → Spanish

terco

TAIR-kohˈteɾ.ko

adjectiveB1general
Use 'terco' for someone who generally refuses to change their mind or accept different viewpoints, often in a persistent way.
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.

obstinado

ob-stee-NAH-dohobs.ti.ˈna.ðo

adjectiveB1general
Choose 'obstinado' when someone is firmly resolved to maintain their opinion or course of action, even when faced with opposition.
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 stubborn 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.

testarudo

tes-tah-ROO-dohtestaˈɾuðo

adjectiveB1general
'Testarudo' is used for someone who is unwilling to change their opinion or behavior, often implying a strong, sometimes irrational, resistance.
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.

dificil

dee-FEE-seel (Remember the stress is on the second 'i'!)diˈfi.sil

adjectiveB1general
Use 'difícil' to describe a person, especially a child, who is hard to manage or persuade because they insist on having their own way.
A stern, richly dressed storybook character sits in a large chair, aggressively pointing at a tiny, insignificant detail on a surface, indicating being demanding. Another character looks stressed.

Examples

Es un niño muy difícil en la escuela; siempre quiere salirse con la suya.

He is a very difficult child at school; he always wants to get his own way.

La negociación fue difícil porque ninguna parte quería ceder.

The negotiation was tricky because neither side wanted to give in.

Describing People

When describing a permanent personality trait, you use the verb ser: 'Ella es difícil' (She is a difficult person).

necio

NEH-syohˈnesjo

adjectiveB2general
Employ 'necio' when someone is foolishly stubborn, refusing to change their mind or behavior, often in a way that seems unreasonable.
A stubborn donkey sitting down in the middle of a path, refusing to move while a person gently pulls on its lead.

Examples

Mi hijo se puso necio y no quiso comer sus verduras.

My son got stubborn and didn't want to eat his vegetables.

No te pongas necia, acepta que cometiste un error.

Don't get stubborn, admit that you made a mistake.

Es tan necio que prefiere perder el trabajo antes que pedir disculpas.

He is so stubborn that he prefers to lose his job rather than apologize.

Using 'Ponerse'

When someone starts acting stubborn, we usually use the verb 'ponerse' (to become/to get). For example: 'Se puso necio' means 'He got stubborn'.

Stubborn vs. Determined

Mistake: “Using 'necio' as a compliment for someone who works hard.”

Correction: Use 'perseverante' or 'determinado' for positive persistence. 'Necio' almost always implies the person is being annoying or wrong.

cerrado

se-RRAH-dohθeˈraðo/ or /seˈraðo

adjectiveC1general
Opt for 'cerrado' to describe someone who is narrow-minded and unwilling to consider new ideas or change their deeply held beliefs.
A simplistic character standing firm with their arms crossed and a stubborn expression, wearing thick, exaggerated blinders that only allow them to see a very small area straight ahead.

Examples

Es inútil discutir con él; es muy cerrado en sus creencias.

It's useless to argue with him; he is very narrow-minded in his beliefs.

Cuando le explico matemáticas, se pone muy cerrado y no lo capta.

When I explain math to him, he gets very dense/oblivious and doesn't get it.

Terco, Obstinado, Testarudo Confusion

Learners often confuse 'terco,' 'obstinado,' and 'testarudo' as they all mean stubborn. While similar, 'terco' is the most general, 'obstinado' implies strong resolve against opposition, and 'testarudo' can suggest a more headstrong or even foolish refusal to change.

Related Translations

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