KoreanBlueprint
Daily Korean
Today’s Phrase
고집이 세요
go·ji·gi se·yo
gojigi seyo
You’re stubborn / They are headstrong
Cultural Insight
고집 in Korea is a double-edged trait. On one hand, it’s associated with 끈기 (perseverance) which is admired. On the other, excessive 고집 can harm team harmony. Korean workplace culture values both individual determination and 팀워크 (teamwork), balancing these well is respected.
Phrase Breakdown
고집이
gojigi
stubbornness (subject)
고집 = persistence/stubbornness; 이 = subject particle
세요
seyo
is strong (honorific)
세다 (to be strong) + -세요 (honorific polite)
Describes someone as having a strong, stubborn will.
Example Phrases
그 사람 고집이 세요. 아무도 못 말려요.
Geu saram gojigi seyo. Amudo mot mallyeoyo.
That person is very stubborn. Nobody can stop them.
못 말리다 = unable to stop someone.
고집을 좀 꺾으세요. 제 말도 들어보세요.
Gojib eul jom kkeogeuseyo. Je maldo deureoboseyo.
Please let go of your stubbornness. Listen to me too.
고집을 꺾다 = to break/give up stubbornness.
고집이 센 것도 장점이 될 수 있어요.
Gojigi saen geotdo jangjeomi doel su isseoyo.
Being stubborn can also be a strength.
장점 = strength/advantage.
Related Phrases
융통성이 없어요
yungtongseong i eopseoyo
They’re inflexible
Describing rigidity or lack of flexibility.
고집을 부려요
gojib eul bulyeoyo
They’re being stubborn
Describing current stubborn behavior.
유연해요
yuyeonhaeyo
They’re flexible/adaptable
Opposite of stubborn — flexible.
Quick Review
복습해야 해요
Can you recall what this means?
bokseupaeyahaeyo
I need to review / I have to review