Contents
Meaning
意地を張る means “to be stubborn” or “to insist on having one’s own way.”
More specifically, it describes the behavior of someone who:
- Refuses to back down from a position or opinion, even when it might be better to do so
- Acts out of pride or stubbornness rather than for practical reasons
- Won’t admit defeat or accept help, often to maintain their dignity or self-respect
- Insists on doing things their way despite evidence or suggestions that another approach might be better
Example contexts:
A person might 意地を張る when they refuse to apologize even though they’re wrong, or when they insist on handling a difficult task alone instead of asking for help. It often carries a nuance of doing something for the sake of pride or principle rather than logic.
The term has a somewhat negative connotation—it suggests an unreasonable or counterproductive stubbornness—though it can also imply admirable determination depending on context.
A common English equivalent would be “to be stubborn,” “to dig in one’s heels,” or “to refuse to back down.”
Example sentences
意地を張る (iji wo haru) – 20 Example Sentences
1
Japanese: 彼は間違っていることに気づいているのに、意地を張って謝らない。 English: He knows he’s wrong, but he’s being stubborn and refuses to apologize.
2
Japanese: 母親が手伝いを勧めても、娘は意地を張って一人で全部やろうとしている。 English: Even though her mother offered help, the daughter insists on doing everything by herself out of stubbornness.
3
Japanese: 彼は負けず嫌いで、いつも意地を張っている。 English: He has a competitive nature and is always being stubborn about not losing.
4
Japanese: 友達との喧嘩で意地を張ってしまい、連絡を取らなくなった。 English: After a fight with his friend, he dug in his heels and stopped contacting him.
5
Japanese: 病気なのに、弱い姿を見せたくないと意地を張って病院に行かない。 English: Even though he’s sick, he refuses to go to the hospital out of stubborn pride, not wanting to appear weak.
6
Japanese: 子どもが意地を張って、お母さんの言うことを聞かない。 English: The child is being stubborn and won’t listen to what his mother says.
7
Japanese: 新しい方法を試すように勧められたが、彼は意地を張って古いやり方に固執している。 English: He was advised to try a new method, but he stubbornly insists on sticking to the old way.
8
Japanese: 彼女に意見されて意地を張り、別れてしまった。 English: When his girlfriend gave him her opinion, he got stubborn about it and they broke up.
9
Japanese: 意地を張るのではなく、時には人の助言を素直に聞くべきだ。 English: Instead of being stubborn, you should sometimes listen sincerely to other people’s advice.
10
Japanese: 田中さんは意地を張る性格で知られている。 English: Tanaka is known for having a stubborn personality.
11
Japanese: 両親と意地を張りあっているため、家に帰ろうとしない。 English: Because he’s at odds with his parents due to mutual stubbornness, he refuses to go home.
12
Japanese: 彼は誰かに助言されるのを嫌がり、いつも意地を張っている。 English: He dislikes being advised by others and is always being stubborn about it.
13
Japanese: この仕事は難しいけれど、彼は意地を張って手伝いを断った。 English: The job is difficult, but he stubbornly refused help out of pride.
14
Japanese: 意地を張ることが必ずしも強さではない。 English: Being stubborn isn’t necessarily a sign of strength.
15
Japanese: 彼女は完璧主義で、よく意地を張って自分のやり方を貫く。 English: His girlfriend is a perfectionist and often stubbornly insists on doing things her way.
16
Japanese: 試験に落ちたのに、意地を張って誰にも言わなかった。 English: Even though he failed the exam, he stubbornly didn’t tell anyone out of pride.
17
Japanese: 兄弟が意地を張って、お互いに話しかけようとしない。 English: The brothers are being stubborn and won’t talk to each other.
18
Japanese: 意地を張るのをやめて、素直に謝ったら、みんなに許してもらえるよ。 English: If you stop being stubborn and apologize sincerely, everyone will forgive you.
19
Japanese: 彼は意地を張る傾向があるので、人間関係がうまくいかないことが多い。 English: He tends to be stubborn, so his relationships often don’t go well.
20
Japanese: 子どもの頃から意地を張る癖があり、大人になってもそれは変わらなかった。 English: He’s had a habit of being stubborn since childhood, and that hasn’t changed even as an adult.
Conversation example
意地を張る (iji wo haru) – Conversation Examples
Conversation 1: Friends After an Argument
Japanese:
- A: ねえ、田中君とまだ話してないの？喧嘩してからもう一週間だよ。
- B: うん、でも向こうが悪いんだ。謝る理由がない。
- A: でもさ、このままじゃいい友達関係は続かないよ。意地を張るのはやめたら？
- B: そんなことできない。俺のプライドが許さない。
- A: プライドより大切な友情もあるんじゃない？
English:
- A: Hey, you still haven’t talked to Tanaka? It’s been a week since you fought.
- B: Yeah, but it’s his fault. I have no reason to apologize.
- A: But if you keep this up, you won’t be able to maintain a good friendship. Why don’t you stop being so stubborn?
- B: I can’t do that. My pride won’t allow it.
- A: Isn’t friendship more important than pride?
Conversation 2: Parent and Child
Japanese:
- 母: 足が痛いなら、病院に行きましょう。
- 子: 大丈夫です。意地を張ってなんかいません。
- 母: でも、あなたはいつも人に頼るのを嫌がって意地を張ってるじゃない。
- 子: え、そんなことない。自分で治ります。
- 母: 本当に心配だわ。無理をしないでね。
English:
- Mother: If your foot hurts, let’s go to the hospital.
- Child: It’s fine. I’m not being stubborn or anything.
- Mother: But you always refuse to rely on others and dig in your heels about it.
- Child: What? That’s not true. I’ll heal on my own.
- Mother: I’m really worried. Please don’t overdo it.
Conversation 3: Coworkers
Japanese:
- A: 新しいシステムを導入したらどう？今のやり方は古いよ。
- B: いや、今のやり方で十分だ。わざわざ変える必要はない。
- A: 効率が悪いでしょ。試しにやってみたら？
- B: 嫌だ。意地を張ってるわけじゃなくて、これが一番いいんだ。
- A: 本当は意地を張ってるんだと思うけどな。新しいことに挑戦してみてよ。
English:
- A: Why don’t we introduce a new system? The current method is outdated.
- B: No, the current method is sufficient. There’s no need to change.
- A: But it’s inefficient, right? Why don’t you try it out?
- B: I don’t want to. I’m not being stubborn; this is simply the best way.
- A: I think you’re actually being stubborn. Just try something new.
Conversation 4: Couple
Japanese:
- 彼氏: 映画、何が見たい？
- 彼女: 何でもいいよ。
- 彼氏: いや、何か見たいのがあるでしょ。言ってよ。
- 彼女: 本当に何でもいいの。
- 彼氏: また意地を張ってる。正直に言ってくれればいいのに。
- 彼女: 意地なんか張ってない。ただ、あなたの好きなのを見たいだけ。
English:
- Boyfriend: What movie do you want to watch?
- Girlfriend: Anything is fine.
- Boyfriend: No, there’s something you want to see. Tell me.
- Girlfriend: I really don’t mind anything.
- Boyfriend: You’re being stubborn again. I wish you’d just be honest with me.
- Girlfriend: I’m not being stubborn. I just want to watch what you like.
Conversation 5: Coach and Player
Japanese:
- コーチ: 怪我が治るまで試合には出ない方がいいね。
- 選手: いや、大丈夫です。意地を張ってるわけじゃないですが、僕は出たいです。
- コーチ: 無理をしたら、もっと悪くなるぞ。
- 選手: でも、チームが僕を必要としています。
- コーチ: 気持ちは分かるが、ここで意地を張ったら、キャリアを台無しにするぞ。
- 選手: わかりました。コーチの言う通りにします。
English:
- Coach: I think you shouldn’t play until your injury is healed.
- Player: No, I’m fine. I’m not being stubborn, but I want to play.
- Coach: If you overdo it, it’ll get worse.
- Player: But the team needs me.
- Coach: I understand your feelings, but if you dig in your heels here, you’ll ruin your career.
- Player: I understand. I’ll do as you say.
Conversation 6: Friends Planning a Trip
Japanese:
- A: 北海道に行こうぜ。冬は最高だよ。
- B: えっ、北海道？寒いじゃん。沖縄がいいよ。
- A: 冬の北海道は素晴らしいんだ。一度行ってみてよ。
- B: いや、沖縄に行きたい。意地を張ってるわけじゃなくて、本気で沖縄がいい。
- A: あ、また意地を張ってる。毎回同じこと言ってるじゃん。
- B: 違う、これは意地じゃなくて、純粋に沖縄が好きなんだ。
- A: 分かったよ。じゃあ、北海道と沖縄、どっちにする？
- B: 投票で決めようか。
English:
- A: Let’s go to Hokkaido. Winter is amazing there.
- B: Huh? Hokkaido? It’s cold. I think Okinawa is better.
- A: Hokkaido in winter is wonderful. Please try going once.
- B: No, I want to go to Okinawa. I’m not being stubborn; I genuinely prefer Okinawa.
- A: Oh, you’re being stubborn again. You say the same thing every time.
- B: That’s not it. It’s not stubbornness; I simply love Okinawa.
- A: Alright. So, which should we choose—Hokkaido or Okinawa?
- B: Let’s decide by vote.
