Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Bullheaded'

English Word: Bullheaded

Key Russian Translations:

• упрямый [ˈuprʲɪmɨj] - [Informal, Commonly Used]
• непреклонный [nʲɪprʲɪˈklonnɨj] - [Formal, Stronger Tone]
• твердолобый [tvʲɪrdɐˈlobɨj] - [Colloquial, Slightly Derogatory]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in conversational and written contexts)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "упрямый"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "непреклонный" and "твердолобый"

Pronunciation (Russian):

упрямый: [ˈuprʲɪmɨj]

Note on упрямый: Stress falls on the first syllable. The 'rʲ' is a soft rolled 'r', which might be challenging for non-native speakers.

непреклонный: [nʲɪprʲɪˈklonnɨj]

Note on непреклонный: Stress on the third syllable. Pay attention to the soft 'nʲ' sound.

твердолобый: [tvʲɪrdɐˈlobɨj]

Note on твердолобый: Stress on the third syllable. The word literally means "hard-headed," reflecting its figurative use.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Stubborn or Obstinate (General Sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• упрямый - Used in everyday contexts to describe someone who refuses to change their opinion or behavior.
• твердолобый - Often used with a negative connotation, implying inflexibility or lack of reason.

Usage Examples:

• Он такой упрямый, что никогда не признает свою ошибку.

  He is so bullheaded that he never admits his mistake.

• Не будь таким твердолобым, послушай, что я говорю!

  Don't be so bullheaded, listen to what I'm saying!

• Её упрямый характер часто создаёт проблемы.

  Her bullheaded nature often causes problems.

2. Unyielding or Resolute (Formal or Strong Sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• непреклонный - Used in formal or serious contexts to describe someone who is unwavering in their decisions or principles.

Usage Examples:

• Его непреклонная позиция удивила всех на переговорах.

  His bullheaded stance surprised everyone at the negotiations.

• Она была непреклонна в своём решении уйти.

  She was bullheaded in her decision to leave.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

упрямый (Adjective): Follows standard adjective declension rules in Russian, agreeing in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies.

непреклонный (Adjective): Similar declension pattern as "упрямый".

твердолобый (Adjective): Follows the same rules, though less commonly used in formal declensions.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for упрямый:

• stubborn - строптивый (more about defiance)
• stubborn - настырный (colloquial, pushy)

Antonyms for упрямый:

• гибкий (flexible)
• уступчивый (yielding)

Related Phrases:

• упрямый как осёл - "stubborn as a donkey" (common idiom for extreme stubbornness)
• непреклонная воля - "unyielding will" (formal expression for determination)
• твердолобый подход - "bullheaded approach" (used to criticize inflexible thinking)

Usage Notes:

• "упрямый" is the most neutral and widely used term for "bullheaded" or "stubborn" in everyday Russian. It can be used in both positive (determined) and negative (stubborn) contexts, depending on tone.
• "непреклонный" carries a more formal and often positive connotation, implying resolute determination rather than mere stubbornness. Use it in serious or professional contexts.
• "твердолобый" is more colloquial and often derogatory, implying unreasonable or inflexible behavior. Avoid using it in polite conversation.

Common Errors:

• Misusing "твердолобый" in formal contexts: English learners often use this term without realizing its negative tone. For example, saying "Он твердолобый руководитель" (He is a bullheaded leader) might sound insulting. Correct usage: "Он непреклонный руководитель" for a formal, respectful tone.
• Gender Agreement Errors: Failing to match the adjective's gender with the noun, e.g., saying "Она упрямый" instead of "Она упрямая". Always adjust the ending based on the noun's gender.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, being "упрямый" can sometimes be seen as a positive trait, reflecting perseverance or strength of character, especially in historical or literary contexts (e.g., folk tales about persistent heroes). However, in modern usage, excessive stubbornness is often criticized, especially in interpersonal relationships.

Related Concepts:

• настойчивость (persistence)
• решительность (determination)
• негибкость (inflexibility)