hartnäckig

persistent

adjective HART-neh-kikh Less Common

Origin: literally 'hard-necked', from hart + Nacken (nape)

Also means

stubborn

Usage Note

hartnäckig spans positive persistence and negative obstinacy. Used of people (ein hartnäckiger Verhandler) and things (ein hartnäckiger Husten, a persistent cough; hartnäckige Flecken, stubborn stains). Context decides whether it is admiring or critical.

Examples

"Trotz aller Absagen blieb er hartnäckig."

Natural Translation

Despite all rejections he remained persistent.

Literal Translation

Despite all refusals stayed he stubborn.

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