Translation guide
The English word "tenacious" covers several related ideas: holding on tightly, being persistent, and having a good memory. Japanese expresses these with different words and phrases depending on the nuance.
Describes a person or effort that continues firmly despite difficulty.
Literally 'sticky-strong', this is the most common and natural way to describe a tenacious person or attitude. It implies patience and steady effort.
彼は粘り強い交渉で契約を勝ち取った。
He won the contract through tenacious negotiation.
Often negative, meaning 'persistent in an annoying way'. Can be used for tenacious salespeople or lingering tastes, but be careful with tone.
Can sound critical. Avoid using for positive persistence unless context makes it clear.
あの営業マンはしつこいけど、根はいい人だ。
That salesman is tenacious, but he's a good guy at heart.
Implies deep-seated, almost obsessive persistence, often with a negative or grudging nuance. Used for someone who never forgets a grudge.
彼は執念深く犯人を追い続けた。
He tenaciously pursued the criminal.
Describes a physical grip or a mental hold that is firm and unyielding.
General word for 'firm' or 'steady'. For a tenacious grip, use しっかりした握り (shikkari shita nigiri).
彼はロープをしっかりと握っていた。
He had a tenacious grip on the rope.
Literally 'not let go'. Used in phrases like 手を離さない (won't let go of one's hand) to express tenacity in holding on.
子供は母親の手を離さなかった。
The child held on to his mother's hand tenaciously.
Onomatopoeic adverb meaning 'firmly' or 'tightly'. Often used for a solid, unyielding grip or build.
Describes a mind that holds onto facts or experiences firmly.
Standard phrase for 'has a good memory'. To emphasize tenacity, add とても (very) or use 抜群 (outstanding).
彼女は記憶力が良くて、一度聞いたことは忘れない。
She has a tenacious memory; she never forgets anything she hears once.
Means 'learns/remembers things well'. Slightly more casual and focused on picking up new information.
うちの犬は物覚えが良くて、すぐに芸を覚える。
Our dog has a tenacious memory and learns tricks quickly.
粘り強い is almost always positive, implying admirable perseverance. しつこい is often negative, meaning annoyingly persistent. Use 粘り強い for a tenacious athlete; use しつこい for a tenacious mosquito.
彼の粘り強い努力が実を結んだ。
His tenacious efforts paid off.
しつこい勧誘にはうんざりだ。
I'm fed up with the tenacious soliciting.
When describing a person's tenacious character, you can simply say 諦めない人 (a person who doesn't give up). This is very natural and avoids choosing a specific adjective.
彼はどんな困難にも諦めない人だ。
He is a tenacious person who never gives up no matter the difficulty.
彼はどんな困難にも諦めない人だ。
He is a tenacious person who never gives up no matter the difficulty.
彼は私の腕をがっちりと掴んだ。
He grabbed my arm tenaciously.