Definition

Adjective: - Obstinate, stubborn: Describes a person, typically a child, who is unreasonably determined to have their own way and refuses to change their attitude, opinion, or behavior despite persuasion or reason. It implies a defiant and uncooperative nature.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Đứa trẻ đó rất bướng bỉnh, không chịu nghe lời ai. (That child is very stubborn and doesn't listen to anyone.)
  • Anh ấy có tính bướng bỉnh từ nhỏ. (He has had a stubborn character since childhood.)
  • Cô ấy trả lời một cách bướng bỉnh. (She answered in an obstinate manner.)

Advanced Usage

• The word often carries a negative connotation and is frequently used to describe difficult or defiant behavior in children and adolescents.
• It can describe an attitude or action, not just a personal trait.

Variants and Related Words

• Bướng (adj): A shorter, slightly less intense form meaning stubborn or disobedient.

  • Nó hơi bướng một chút. (He is a little bit stubborn.)

• Cứng đầu (adj): Literally "hard-headed"; a close synonym for stubborn and obstinate.

  • Đừng có cứng đầu như thế! (Don't be so hard-headed!)

Synonyms

• Stubborn: Having or showing dogged determination not to change one's attitude or position.
• Obstinate: Stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or chosen course of action.
• Headstrong: Energetically willful and determined.

Related Idioms

• Bướng bỉnh như trâu: As stubborn as a buffalo. This idiom emphasizes extreme, animal-like stubbornness.

  • Thằng bé bướng bỉnh như trâu, bảo gì cũng không nghe. (The boy is as stubborn as a buffalo; he doesn't listen to anything he's told.)

• Cứng đầu cứng cổ: Literally "hard-headed and hard-necked"; an idiom describing someone who is extremely stubborn and unyielding.

  • Nó cứng đầu cứng cổ, chẳng chịu tiếp thu ý kiến của ai. (He is extremely stubborn and refuses to accept anyone's opinion.)

adj

1. Obstinate, stubborn (nói khái quát)
   • thái độ bướng bỉnh
     a stubborn attitude
   • trả lời bướng bỉnh
     to answer in an obstinate way