Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Stubborn; obstinate: Describes a person who firmly and unreasonably adheres to their own ideas, opinions, or course of action, refusing to change despite persuasion, argument, or strong opposition.
   • Contumacious: (Formal) Stubbornly or willfully disobedient to authority.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Kẻ tội phạm tỏ ra rất ngoan cố trước tòa. (The criminal was very obstinate in court.)
  • Thái độ ngoan cố của anh ấy khiến mọi cuộc thảo luận đều thất bại. (His stubborn attitude caused every discussion to fail.)
  • Đừng có ngoan cố, hãy lắng nghe ý kiến của mọi người. (Don't be so stubborn; listen to everyone's opinions.)

Advanced Usage

• Often used to describe a persistent, unyielding attitude in negative contexts, such as in debates, conflicts, or legal settings.
• Can modify abstract nouns like "thái độ" (attitude), "tinh thần" (spirit), or "kẻ" (person).

Variants and Related Words

• Cố chấp (adj): Obstinate, bigoted. Often implies a rigid adherence to outdated or prejudiced ideas.
  • Sự cố chấp của ông ấy thật đáng buồn. (His bigotry is truly regrettable.)
• Bướng bỉnh (adj): Stubborn, headstrong. Commonly used for children or in less formal, more behavioral contexts.
  • Đứa trẻ bướng bỉnh không chịu nghe lời. (The headstrong child refuses to listen.)

Synonyms

• Stubborn: Unreasonably determined not to change one's attitude or position.
• Obstinate: Stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or chosen course of action.
• Inflexible: Unwilling to change or compromise.
• Intransigent: Unwilling or refusing to change one's views or to agree about something.

Related Idioms

• Ngoan cố đến cùng: To be stubborn to the end; to persist obstinately until the very end.
  • Hắn ta quyết định ngoan cố đến cùng với kế hoạch nguy hiểm của mình. (He decided to persist obstinately to the end with his dangerous plan.)

adj

1. stubborn; obstinate; contumacious