hartnäckig
Translation
stubborn, persistent, tenacious, obstinate
Examples
Er ist ein sehr hartnäckiger Mensch.
He is a very stubborn person.
Der hartnäckige Fleck geht nicht weg.
The persistent stain won't go away.
Sie verfolgte hartnäckig ihr Ziel.
She persistently pursued her goal.
Grammar Patterns
hartnäckig + Noun (attributive) stubborn/persistent ~ A hartnäckiger Fleck.
sein + hartnäckig (predicative) to be stubborn/persistent He is very hartnäckig.
hartnäckig + Verb (adverbial) stubbornly/persistently ~ She hartnäckig asked again.
Similar Words
Etymology
Composed of 'hart' (hard) and 'Nacken' (neck). A 'hard neck' metaphorically means someone who is unyielding.
Memory Tips
Picture a person with a stiff, 'hard neck' ('harter Nacken') who refuses to turn their head or change their mind. This image helps remember the meaning 'stubborn'.